re: "As a novice umpire"
18 years; and, I am still one and, forever more.....
re: "can you explain why in OBR and NCAA the PU put the ball in play illegally?"
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/base...rulesfront.htm
Official Baseball Rules 5.02
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/base...ers/rules5.htm
5.02 After the umpire calls "Play" the ball is alive and in play and remains alive and in play until for legal cause, or at the umpire's call of "Time" suspending play, the ball becomes dead. While the ball is dead no player may be put out, no bases may be run and no runs may be scored, except that runners may advance one or more bases as the result of acts which occurred while the ball was alive (such as, but not limited to a balk, an overthrow, interference, or a home run or other fair ball hit out of the playing field). Should a ball come partially apart in a game, it is in play until the play is completed.
re: "Additionally, as OBR 8.05 states "..However, certain specifics should be borne in mind: (a) Straddling the pitcher's rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk."
So in OBR games:
1) is it ok for F1 to toe the plate without the ball as long as he doesn't feints a pitch?
Not while the ball is live!!!!!
2) The way the hidden ball trick works is if the F1 goes directly to the plate and doesn't attempt anything?
NOT - - - F1 should walk around the mound, i.e. as if to pick up the rosin bag; or, the ball, etc.
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/u/base...ers/rules8.htm
8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when_
(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;
After 18 years of umpiring - just a few weeks ago as the FU in a varsity game, I called my first out on a hidden ball trick play. Hot dang - a team finally got it right; and, it worked beautifully!!!!!
You are "Welcome" Sir.....