AirForceBlue

I understand that the BR is out for passing R1. Is the play still live until there is no opportunity for the defensive team to put out a runner and all runners occupy a base? Normally, this is not a "dead ball" situation, correct? AFB

Nice folks in OK. I'm out at Altus AFB in SW OK going through a three month USAF course. Last weekend, while driving west on I-44 from OKC-Lawton, I stopped and watched a big travel ball tournament in Chickasha. What a baseball junkie I am. Had a Coke, a hot dog and got my strike zone eye caged for the upcoming season. I suppose I miss home, my kids, and umpiring so much, I figured stopping by and watching would help me feel less homesick. It worked! Welcome to the board. I'm new as well. AFB

Just took my LL open book test. Can someone explain to me the LAST sentence in Rule 6.09 (h)? I understand if a fair fly ball conks off the fielder's head over the fence into foul territory, two bases. If a fair fly ball conks off the fielder's head over the fence into fair territory, home run. What's the purpose of the last sentence, "However, should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 165 feet (250 feet) from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only." I understand the first two situations? Can someone describe the third? I apologize for my ignorance. AFB

Thanks. I thought the call would be interference, runner out.

Hello all: I'm a third year ump and I've been bitten by the ump bug--hard. Three years ago I was pulled out of the stands by the local LL Chief Umpire after hearing how his volunteer umpire pool was at condition critical. The next night I was on the bases and two weeks later I was behind the plate with an Air Force B4bag full of hand-me-down equipment. I'm still getting started and I haven't worked anything beyond a 60 foot base. I know some of you will laugh at that, but I'm not interested in getting paid, I'm interested in performing a much-needed service for my community. I also believe the little guys look up to a clean cut, sharp, no-nonsense umpire. I'd like to coach, but as an airline pilot and a Lt Col in the Air Force Reserve, my schedule is way too unpredictable to be a coach, certainly a head coach. But it's amazing, our local LL ump scheduler always has an opening on a weeknight or a Saturday. Call me crazy. I'm be asking you all lots of questions, so help a brother out. Nice to meet you all. AFB

Third year LL ump here. Saw a situation in a travel ball game that got me thinking. Runners on 1st and 2nd. Batter hits a double into the RF gap. Batter drops bat 3' in front of HP. R2 scores cleanly, loops around to the left and goes into fair territory to pick up bat. Relay throw comes home to try and put out R1. Throw home is late and there wouldn't have been a play at home to speak of, but the throw almost hits R2 as he's picking up the bat. R2 never saw the ball almost hit him and the catcher was able to field the throw despite R2 being in the way. No one seemed to notice or mind, but it got me thinking: What if the throw had hit R2? What if it interfered with the catcher making the play at home? What if R2 had shielded the catcher from fielding the throw? Interference? I looked at the rule book and all the situations apply to a BR or a runner. This kid was no longer a runner, right? AFB