Umpete

13-15 Fall Ball playing under OBR. With R2, ball gets away from F1 on the throw back from F2 and rolls about half way between the mound and 2B. F4 and F6 go for the ball as R2 moves towards 3B and is obstructed by F6. R2 stops and returns to 2B with no attempt by the defense to tag him. I, as BU ruled this as type B obstruction and left the runner at second because no play was being made on him. Would you have ruled differently? Pete

HS game this spring, 2-man crew with R1 and I am BU in B. DP Ground ball to F4 who makes a poor throw to F6 and pulls him off the bag before the catch. I'm (over) selling the safe call at 2B when I hear F3 say, "Hey, what about over here?" Luckily, my partner was out from behind the plate and picked up my slack, for which I was obliged to buy the drinks after the game. Since this was my first year on the big diamond, I chalked it up to inexperience, but it was very embarrassing at the time - and it was a mistake I made sure not to make for the rest of the summer. Pete

I always thought it was one of those Dizzy Dean expressions, like a "blue darter," or a "dying quail."

Take a look at these umpire shorts. I haven't tried them myself. Umpire Shorts Pete

The only reason I can think of for the series of events described in the OP is that the batter bunted a two-strike pitch foul. Possibly struck the batter while still in the box, or the fielder picked the bunt up in foul ground. The batter would be out, no tag necessary, and runners return. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain...errr...microphone!

Thanks for the responses. This was a 13 YO Prep league. They have a "grace period" for calling balks, and this was the last day. I addressed it with the coach, who, of course, informed me I didn't know what I was talking about.

R1, pitcher engages the rubber and brings his hands together at his chest and stops (pauses) to take a sign from the catcher. From this position, he comes to the set position, pausing again before pitching. To me, it looked almost like he was coming set twice - not much difference in his two positions. I have this as illegal, am I correct?

Babe Ruth under OBR: R2, dribbler fielded by F1 who throws to first. F3 drops the throw which rolls towards the 1B coach (no coach's box is marked). F3 attempts to retrieve the ball to play on R2 racing home, and has a minor tangle with the 1B coach. IMO, a good throw from F3 would still have retired R2, but F3 throws poorly (but not because of contact with 1B coach). DC wants INT on 1B coach. I am BU and rule no INT. My question, when could you or should you call INT on this play? In my thinking, F3 dropped the ball and 1B coach did not intentionally interfere.