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Originally Posted by rei
So I suppose you let the runners touch the bag with the "neighborhood play" too correct?
Tell me, how close is close enough? 2"? 6"? 3'?
Call what you see. It is REALLY good for your integrity.  |
Well, Rei, I've been calling this for almost 30 years and I've never received a complaint. I do not do as some of our former (MLB) brothers have - almost 2 feet off the bag is
not where I call it.
The best description I can give you is about a step off the bag. Pretty much what was taught in the late seventies in pro school. I've called this from HS through adult levels and never gave it much thought. Again, in this area, it is the expected call and the players work hard at getting just close enough.
Let's say it's not much different than a good F3 who pulls the foot off the bag to keep from getting "nailed". We've all seen that in pro and amateur baseball. Or how about that marginal strike that is really off the plate but still in the black. We all "give" a little whether you realize it or not. The only times I have ever seen the game called "pure" is when the Knickerbocker Games come to the area. There the Caller (umpire) sits to the side in his top hat and tails, nursing a beer and judging whether the "called-for" pitch was correctly thrown!