Don

I am pretty sure NCAA requires a fielder to have the ball also to block a base. FED adopted same, after NCAA. OBR stands alone in allowing a fielder to block a base, if play is imminent.

If you mean, in general, as far as CI not being condition, I agree, but in this case the CI does not create the situation to ignore the balk because all runners did not advance one base. Batter could hit a HR on CI and balk would be ignored in OBR.

Umpire can call abandonment when convinced runner is abandoning. I think this would be a timing play and on game ending plays I don't know any umpires who would call it before the winning run scores. However, if defense appeals a missed base for 3rd out on a forced base miss before the infielders and umpilres leave the field then play continues.

The running lane violation should only apply to throws to 1b from around the plate area, typically bunts, so typically they will be fielded by F5, F1, or F3 and usually F2. Intent of BR is irrelevant, where he is when hit is and who threw the ball is. The only interp I am aware of in FED where a quality throw is not required is if a fielder throws over the head of F3 into RF. If he gets plunked by the catcher to the right of running lane 10' from 1b that is not going to be RL violation because it was not a quality throw and not covered by a FED case play (over F3 head).

The catcher is able to see if a runner is running, it's right in front of him, and he has spent his entire career learning to throw in this situation if he sees a runner running. Why would he throw because someone yelled "runner" from the dugout. Does not make any sense. I don't see this as verbal intereference since no one was interfered with, and I don't see it as verbal obstruction since no one was verbally obstructed. Borderline unsportsmanlike, so I might tell the dugout to cut it out.

Balk came first, if conditions are not met to ignore it then enforce it. CI is not one of the conditions so can't be the penalty that makes the balk ok to ignore. CI came second.

Catcher: Blue, we want to walk this batter. Me: TIME! You (pointing at batter) - first base If this is not what they wanted, it become a teaching moment, for them.

Why you hate dumping idiots?

There are police forces that require their officers to carry at all times. My son is a sheriff''s deputy and he carrys, almost always. I know the county and I doubt the Sheriff would condone any of his deputies showing *ss as a coach or spectator at any sporting event. I also coached with a Lieutenant, City cop years ago. I have no idea whether he was carrying or not, but if he was I have no problem. He was an excellent coach, good with kids and never a problem. I know of one case where a Highway patrolmen was ejected from a game. He left fairly quitely. If you have law enforcement officers showing their *ss, you need to make the proper folks aware..

A catcher once asked me how I put up with it. I asked put up with what? He said, the fans? I said, what fans? Asst Coaches are like fans, with one exception, I get to dump them. Head coaches too, if they want to leave...

You don't say on which side of 3b that F5 obstructs so I will assume on the 2b side (also don't say whether we are talking FED or OBR). Assuming OBR for now, he is awarded 3b, unless you feel he could have made it home then you can award home. If you do award home, but that would be a pretty advanced assumption, if he went back to 3b. If he advanced and got thrown out by a step you have better evidence. If FED and on home side of 3b he is awarded home. R1 has no bearing on this play. If he is tagged out between 2nd and 3rd he is out. F1 has no claim to 2b or 3b and is simply tagged out between. FED or OBR, result is same for R1.

I had a pair of Honigs high tops for 10 years, in fact they are still in the garage, and still look great on the outside. I had them re-heeled once and complete sole and heel once, but the lining on the inside is wore out and that is why I bought a new pair of NB 450. But I still have them, in case of emergency. I know several people who use Honigs low tops, but I can't comment on them because I use highs. Good shoes.

Sometimes it is better to not have the guy show up.

Interesting discussion. I will admit to comment that runner who is in legal contact with base has not interferred if not intentional. Except this runner was forced and ball was ruled fair, so he was not in legal contact. So I don't know, you guys decide if it is legal for a forced runner to stay on the bag and trip a fielder.

Well, this might be a good case to set a precedent and eject the partner. I would not let a BU overrule me without discussion, never, ever. And no good umpire would even try.

And the tag was late...

Bobby don't know rules very well. Of course two runners can occupy the same base, but not permanently. Somebody will be called out eventually, in this case runner on 1b was forced so he has to go forward. He was staying because he thought fly ball would be caught, so is the right play for him. However, you can't interfere with a fielder. The replay clearly showed that F3 tripped on the runner's foot that was on the bag. He tripped and fell backward, thus interference. The 1b umpire first ruled FAIR by pointing FAIR, then when runner was 1/3 the way toward 2b he put his hands up to call time and enforce the interference. He should have just called the interference and not pointed FAIR. The call was correct, the mechanics not. And of course Bobby called it Obstruction.

If F6 throw to F4 is too late to retire R1, we must presume R1 has reached 2b. So if F4 throws ball out of play score R1.

About 7 years ago I called a strike on a batter who stepped back with one foot to get a sign without asking, but did not step out of the box. Pitcher seeing this quickly setup and threw a pitch. Regretted ever since. What if batter got hit in the face with a pitch he was not looking for?

Ripken has neither. There is a MC rule, at the plate. I have nothing here except a live ball rolling around.

Ditto

With friends like that you don't need enemies. If he does not respond to constructive criticism, that must be given, cut the tie, and your losses. Being associated with this guy by working with him will not help your games.

Why NOT? He gave a GOOD REASON and you did not use it. Next time dump his sorry butt.

It has been 10+ years since I stopped coaching but as far back as 15 years ago I was using a combination of colors and numbers to signal to players. It was like another language they all knew. Mostly used on 1st and 3rd situations and often it was enough for the other team to know that we were going to try something to prevent them from attempting a steal. A 1 in the sequence of 3 numbers means the catcher comes up and throws hard back to the pitcher. A 4 in the sequence meant a throw to F4 and and a 6 meant a throw to F6. The colors indicated whether I wanted a throw at all, a throw to retire the runner, or a throw that would be cutoff. I simply did not want an easy steal of 2B without trying something. Today, I still hear it a lot around here and mostly in the same situations. Coach calls it out and players repeat. Never had arm bands with plays on them. It was simple enough to remember at 10 or up ages.

Eval, in an adult game. I never heard of such.