[UmpJM]

Garth,

I don't think anybody has the 2007 BRD handy (with the possible exception of Carl). I was referencing the 2005 edition with my previous cite. The quote from that edition (discussing a pitcher who turns past 1B on his way to 2B rather than directly addressing throwing to an "unoccupied base") is, in reference to FED,

"Of course, the runner must be moving, not merely bluffing a steal of second."

in order to NOT balk the move.

When I took the FED Part 1 test this year, I first took it "closed book" to see how I would do and what areas I most needed to further study. I got 2 questions wrong; both were questions where the FED rule is different than the OBR rule (#25 & #87).

When I first bothered to try to learn the actual rules, I learned the OBR rules (because the youth leagues i was coaching in used them as the "base" rules which addressed anything not specifically addressed in the league's rules).

Some of the FED differences make sense to me and some are are very surprising to me. I'm scheduled to work my first game covered under these rules this coming Tuesday (Freshmen). I'd like to know them as well as I'm able.

So, I am inclined to believe you regarding the proper FED interpretation (and Bob J., and Tim Stevens), but how the heck am I supposed to learn these things?

JM