UmpireTommy

I am going to give it my best shot to answer all these questions, the pitching positions rule is one of the hardest to understand but this is what I have learned over the years. 1.1: I believe the second step you are referencing is as a result of MLB pitcher Carter Capps years ago where he would take a “jump step” in order to gain ground towards home plate on his pitch. Notice the jump that he does and that is now illegal under this rule. That is the easiest way to understand the rule. In words, the pitcher may not take another step towards home plate after lifting his foot to deliver the pitch. 1.2: Once again, Carter Capps would jump off his back foot resetting the pivot foot many feet closer to home plate which is no longer allowed. Video: https://youtu.be/LycHv4CRHWY?si=BociY85PB1rQYVnI 1.3: The first step backward is referring to the common backward step that many pitcher do in order to get themselves in a position to throw the pitch. From the windup many pitchers take a step backward to put themselves in a position to throw a pitch. Video of Yamamoto doing this backwards step: https://youtu.be/lQMyQ3PewOQ?si=-CnyobFWen4T568Q 1.4: The above comment and rule 5.07(1) are referring to different things. Rule 5.07(1) is saying that pitchers may take one step backward and one step forward (the one step forward is the pitcher lifting his leg to deliver the pitch). While the comment in Rule 5.07(a) is saying that the pitcher may not take 2 steps forward like Carter Capps. 1.5: No, in rule 5.07(1), it says you may take only one step backward, which would be your definition of a “rocker step” however, that term is not used in the rule book. 1.6: Under OBR the rule clearly says that the step must be backward, however, if you watch any big league pitcher many of them take steps to the side or even forward but that’s a conversation for another time. NCAA says that the step must not gain ground towards home plate. NFHS says the step may be forwards, sideways, or backwards. 1.7: When the rule says that “he shall not raise either foot” that is referring to before the delivery is started. When the pitcher takes a step backwards that is the start of his “actual delivery to the batter” which is why the rule continues to say that and why the step backwards is allowed. This rule does not apply for a pickoff. 2: Hopefully someone else can chime in because I am unsure about this rule as well. 3: Umpirebible is a great tool however it is very possible that it is either not updated, or that you may be looking at a different ruleset. I would stick with what the actual rule says which is “In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his "free" foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber.” Hope this helps.

https://www.closecallsports.com/2023WSUmpireRoster Tumpane not being on here is criminal.

Luckily the score was 17-3 at this point so this wasn’t a big deal and all I said is I felt that his runner hindered the catchers attempt to make a play on the BR. He seemed satisfied with that answer so it didn’t cause any issues. This is something I never had really encountered and it seems like not many others have as well.

Sorry I didn’t give a great explanation. R1 was just lying on the ground because he had slid into home and had not gotten up yet. He was roughly towards the back of the right-handed batters box. The catcher was grabbing the ball that ricocheted off of the backstop and coming back towards the plate to make a tag which put him just behind R1 causing him to try and evade R1 before making a tag attempt on BR.

Little League rules- very comparable to OBR I believe. R1 only nobody out, batter hits a deep fly ball to the fence and R1 comes around to score. BR then also attempts to score but R1 is still lying near the plate causing F2 to try and run around him to make a tag. No tag is made on the BR but I called him out for interference on R1 because he was no longer apart of the play and he hindered the catchers ability to make a play. Whats the ruling gentlemen?

Just another thing to add here, the NFHS rule says “An infield fly is a fair fly (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.” Which means it can still be an infield fly even if the outfielder catches or attempts to catch the ball as long the ball had the ability to be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.

I actually just worked with Jeff on the 12U Sectional Semifinal game before he left for the great city of Nogales. He’s a great guy and knows a ton. D68 has some similar training but it never hurts to get some extra work in.

Thanks @concertman1971 they have been so helpful and gotten me some great guys to work with this summer.

Hey all I wanted to introduce myself, I am an umpire in California I’m 16 and I’ve been umpiring little league for 6 years and I just started doing higher levels of travel ball such as five tool and perfect game tournaments. I still play baseball but I love being around the game any way I can. I’d love some advice on how I should manage some of these higher levels games especially when the teams are older than me, although I’ve yet to run into many problems and how I continue to improve my umpiring. Do you recommend clinics, camps, working with veterans, or getting my eyes checked??