Little League Balk

victory · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 04:46pm

Hello,
I'm looking at LL RB 7.07 in which during a squeeze attempt and the catcher moves in front of or on the plate or contacts the batter or bat. The umpire is supposed to rule a balk on the pitcher and award first to the batter on the interference. Why not just call interference and give home and first due to that? Why the balk call - is that simply to justify the award of home?

bob jenkins · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 06:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by victory

Hello,
I'm looking at LL RB 7.07 in which during a squeeze attempt and the catcher moves in front of or on the plate or contacts the batter or bat. The umpire is supposed to rule a balk on the pitcher and award first to the batter on the interference. Why not just call interference and give home and first due to that? Why the balk call - is that simply to justify the award of home?

What if there's a runner on second (with no runner on first) who isn't advancing on the squeeze play?

UmpJM · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 06:20pm

victory,

It's adopted from the OBR (aka MLB) rules, on which LL rules are based. It's a "double penalty" because the OBR rule makers wanted to REALLY discourage this particular infraction.

Since, during a true "squeeze play", the R3 is attempting to advance "on the pitch", he would score on the catcher's interference whether a balk was part of the penalty or not.

The only time the 7.07 balk provision makes any difference at all is when there is a squeeze play with an R3 & R2 only, AND the R2 is not attempting to advance on the play. Otherwise, the catcher's interference penalty will produce the same result.

JM

victory · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 07:23pm

Thanks. But is this pitcher (really catcher interference) balk in any other rule book or just little league? I don't think anyone would argue awarding bases on catcher interference but I can just hear the screaming when you call a balk on the pitcher in this case.

I was watching one of those Jim Evans You Make The Call videos and there was this exact case described and the multiple choice videos had balk or interference. The answer was interference.

The rule makes no mention of a R2 only a R3. Why would the rule maker want to award R2 a base since you are really just trying to plug via rule any easy way for the defense to block a squeeze.

Rich Ives · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 10:05pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by victory

Thanks. But is this pitcher (really catcher interference) balk in any other rule book or just little league?

LL 7.07: If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or the bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first on the interference and the ball is dead.

OBR 7.07: If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.

NCAA 8-3-p: If, on an attempted squeeze play or steal of home plate, the catcher steps on or in front of home plate without possession of the ball or touches the batter or the bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk and the catcher with interference.
PENALTY—The ball becomes dead, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference, the run scores and all other runners advance one base.

victory · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Nov 07, 2009, 11:49pm

Thanks Rich that about sums it up I guess.

SanDiegoSteve · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 10:46am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

OBR 7.07: If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.

This served as a great refresher course for me as it came in handy in my game yesterday. With 1 out and a 3/2 count, R3 tried to steal home as the pitcher went into his windup. the pitcher was alerted to the theft, sped up his delivery slightly, delivered strike 3 called as the catcher came out of his crouch, caught the pitch, and then easily tagged out a standing R3 for the 3rd out.

The defense wanted to argue interference, to which I stated, "No, he didn't step on or in front of home plate without the ball, or touch the batter, so no interference." End of argument, end of inning.

I'm glad I had this fresh in my mind and made me sound like I knew what I was talking about!

RPatrino · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 12:31pm

It's always nice to sound like we know what we are talking about!! That is really what this forum is about, to keep things on the top of the bubbling cesspool of thoughts that is my brain!!

justanotherblue · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 01:30pm

Squeeze play in LL? Really? I don't do LL however, I'm under the impression that in LL, the runner can not leave the base until the ball is passed the batter. Therefore, how can you have a squeeze play?

RPatrino · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 01:51pm

The fact that runner's can't lead off doesn't change the fact that you can still have a squeeze. The runner leaves when the ball crosses the plate, or when the batter contacts the ball. Runners still steal bases and all that stuff in LL, too.

nopachunts · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 03:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Squeeze play in LL? Really? I don't do LL however, I'm under the impression that in LL, the runner can not leave the base until the ball is passed the batter. Therefore, how can you have a squeeze play?

Little League refers to Little League's Major League, usually 11 and 12 year olds. Played on 60' tight bases. Minors which is usually 9 and 10 year olds is also played on 60' tight bases and continous batting order.

The Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions of Little League is played on 90' loose bases and is more like HS ball but with some different rules. A lot of times the LL rules are more confusing that FED rules.

RPatrino · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 03:59pm

Whats the distinction between 'tight' and 'loose' bases?

SanDiegoSteve · #13 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 04:05pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Whats the distinction between 'tight' and 'loose' bases?

I was wondering that as well and then it dawned on me that "tight" refers to no lead offs and "loose" refers to lead offs allowed.

SanDiegoSteve · #14 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 04:08pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopachunts

A lot of times the LL rules are more confusing that FED rules.

The only rules in the world more confusing than FED rules are the NCAA ones.

nopachunts · #15 (**permalink**) Mon Nov 09, 2009, 04:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The only rules in the world more confusing than FED rules are the NCAA ones.

Some prime examples:
Based loaded, infield hit or bunt, any runner leaves early, R3 put in dugout, no out or run?
Special pinch runner

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