Legal or not??

cbfoulds

jhelbling wrote
Thanks - I understand.

Something to practice. I would not mind giving up a balk if the R1 does not attempt to steal because the % at our level is that they are going to steal. I know we steal EVERY time when on 1st.

I don't get it: R1 steals 2d vs. F1 balks and R1 is awarded 2d... why do you prefer the balk over the steal?

GarthB

cbfoulds wrote
I don't get it: R1 steals 2d vs. F1 balks and R1 is awarded 2d... why do you prefer the balk over the steal?

Can't get tagged out on the balk.

Fritz

cbfoulds wrote
I don't get it: R1 steals 2d vs. F1 balks and R1 is awarded 2d... why do you prefer the balk over the steal?

Let me take a guess having coached my boys at this age: prefer trying a move and having a shot at picking the runner off if I can get away with it, than having someone steal and my catcher (or fielders) misplay the pitch/throw and let the runner go even further. Or, telling my catcher not to throw to 2nd on any steals (for the same reason) and put negative thoughts/criticisms in his head instead of trying something bold like the pickoff move - a positive thing for the players.

cbfoulds

GarthB wrote
Can't get tagged out on the balk.

That'd make sense if he was the OC; his comment seemed to be that he'd prefer HIS F1 to be called for the balk, rather than have R1 steal - THAT's what I don't get.

waltjp

Maybe it was the foul ball I took of the mask earlier tonight, but what league is allowing pick off plays with 10-year olds?

TussAgee11

USSSA for one allows leading. I believe 10 year-olds play with a 48 foot mound and 60 foot basepaths. They then slowly graduate them to full field at age 14. (70 foot paths at age 12 I think).

I'm sure some umpires in NC, SC, or GA could fill us in on what the actual distances are.

johnnyV

If this is Little League (10 yr old kid), then there is no such thing as a balk. I do not have my book handy, but it may meet the definition of an illegal pitch.

TussAgee11

johnny - I do believe this would be an illegal pitch, as the pitcher is starting and then not coming to the plate. 1 ball penalty. (I wouldn't kill a 10 year old for anything before I had to lock in though).

DG

jhelbling wrote
At our level - the Runner is going pretty much everytime.

You need a pitchout sign.

SanDiegoSteve

waltjp wrote
Maybe it was the foul ball I took of the mask earlier tonight, but what league is allowing pick off plays with 10-year olds?

Jeez Walt, what planet do you umpire on?

USSSA
USABF
Triple-A (FED rules)
Mustang League (PONY)
Cal Ripken Baseball
Travel Leagues

Probably more, these are the only ones I'm familiar with.

fitump56

SanDiegoSteve wrote
Jeez Walt, what planet do you umpire on?

USSSA
USABF
Triple-A (FED rules)
Mustang League (PONY)
Cal Ripken Baseball
Travel Leagues

Probably more, these are the only ones I'm familiar with.

On the same planet that has LL rules, all of the above, and dozens of others? And none mentioned in the first post?

RPatrino

All I remember doing 10 year olds is that once a runner ends up on 1b, he is usually at 3rd several pitches later. Now, I suppose that with the number of traveling teams and select leagues we have now that maybe a 10 year old catcher can throw a runner out stealing 2b. I don't know.