How to handle?

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

As a side note, my son was also a 1st baseman (when he wasn't pitching). He also was able to go into a full split (God, my crotch ached every time I saw him do this) and I learned one very important thing. When a good first baseman goes into a split such as this, they are almost always anchored against the bag solidly! This is what allows them to keep their balance and goet all the way out (ouch!). They do not split as a dancer does (both feet moving away from each other). I also learned that once these first baseman go into this motion, they cannot stop it (unlike a dancer who can). So when I see this action, I am almost positive that the first baseman is on the bag.

Thanks for the feedback - I appreciate it. I had thought he was being a bit "restrictive" but, remembering that we're there to play a game and not have me get into a debate with the umpire, will always just go back to the dugout.

Ozzy - yes, it is painful to watch. The interesting thing is that he had another similar play where he stretched out like that a couple of innings later, kept his foot on the base, and the batter-runner was called out. Discussing it with my wife on the way home we thought that it might have not been called the first time because it isn't "normal" for 11U players in a rec league to stretch like that and still stay in contact with the base. Once the BU saw he could, however, maybe he looked more carefully next time? Not sure, but still happy with the result!