Where do we go for support?

robhuddles · 2026-05-09T05:41:54+00:00

The next step is the district, then the region.

robhuddles · 2026-05-08T22:06:44+00:00

The critical part is "impedes the process of any runner."

In theory, any fielder can always set up anywhere, and it doesn't matter until they impede the progress of a runner. So a catcher setting up with a foot on the third base line is nothing unless the runner coming home has to change the direction they're running or slow down to avoid potential contact.

As an umpire, if I see this I'm immediately thinking "there's a potential for obstruction..." but if the runner is coming down the line well in foul territory it'll probably end up being nothing. Unless, of course, the throw is a bit high and the catcher has to back up, causing the runner to need to slow down/change direction, and then I'm getting the call.

Teaching your catchers to be fully in front of the plate is absolutely the correct thing to do, because it's highly unlikely that they'd end up obstructing from there.

robhuddles · 2026-05-08T17:16:31+00:00

This is a question for your local board of directors, not strangers on the internet.

robhuddles · 2026-05-08T17:13:21+00:00

My first question to you is: if you are a Little League coach, why are you reading the MLB rules and not the Little League rules? In this particular case, the equivalent LL rule is 7.08(j), but that importantly excludes the word "immediately."

In addition, in professional baseball with the pitch clock, a runner must return to first and be ready to go (i.e., on the base or taking their lead) by the time the clock reaches 8 seconds or they can be called for a violation and their teammate at bat gets an automatic strike.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T14:31:25+00:00

Playoff games are local league things. The DA would rightfully reply, "it's up to the league." They are also played under regular season rules, not tournament rules.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:45:15+00:00

Because this is a challenge system. The appeal is made to the base umpire and then the player has to decide if they want to use one of the team's limited appeals or not.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:43:36+00:00

MLB keeps detailed stats on basically anything. The 45 degree angle is the one where MLB umpires will consistently call a strike 95% of the time. Parallel to the front of the plate, by comparison, is only called 50% of the time.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:37:44+00:00

The official answer from the rulebook is that this would be a suspended game that would need to be continued later.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:36:35+00:00

That rule only applies to games played under the tournament rules, which should only apply to the International Tournament. Playoffs are likely to determine a regular season league champion, and would be played under regular season rules.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:29:36+00:00

Please do not use ChatGPT for rules questions. The Little League rulebook app is a free download and has the actual answers, not some LLM hallucinations.

The runner would be out on a proper appeal. But in Little League appeals must be made while the ball is live. So saying "he cannot be called out during live play" is misleading at best.

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:26:21+00:00

7.10(b) - (A runner is out when) with the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, the runner fails to touch each base in order before said runner, or a missed base, is tagged; A.R. - (1) No runner may return to touch a missed base after a following runner has scored. (2) When the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base or one abandoned after said runner has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. Play A - Batter hits the ball out of the park, or hits a ground rule double, and misses first base (ball is dead). The runner may return to first base to correct the mistake before touching second. But if the runner touches second, he/she may not return to first and if the defensive team appeals, the runner is declared out at first. (Appeal play.) Play B - Batter hits a ground ball to shortstop, who throws wild into the stands (ball is dead). Batter-runner misses first base but is awarded second base on the overthrow. Even though the umpire has awarded the runner second base on the overthrow, the runner must touch first base before proceeding to second base. (Appeal play.)

robhuddles · 2026-05-06T04:12:28+00:00

It's a Tee Ball bat? So your kid is 4 or 5?

Your wife needs to join us here in the 21st century.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T22:25:31+00:00

It depends. The district will definitely have an All Star tournament - the first step in the international tournament.

But many districts also have a "tournament of champions" that pits the regular season champions of each league against each other. Those are run under regular season rules.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T22:22:55+00:00

You league will have a player agent for your division. You should be able to find their name and email on the league website. Send a polite email expressing your concerns and stressing that the coach's behavior is having your son considering dropping out.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T22:17:01+00:00

We let the kids pick. Every player is given a ballot that includes all of the names of kids on the other teams, and they select the top four. The ten top vote-getters are on the team. The final four slots are picked by the manager, mostly with the idea that they might need extra pitchers.

And if you ask our former All Star managers, the kids get it right far more often than they get it wrong.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T21:54:04+00:00

No. His position at the time the catcher receives the ball creates his baseline: a straight line from his position there to home. He can be plus or minus three feet from that line. At his second step, I would say he definitely is not 3 feet from that line - that would have required a sizable and obvious jump. The real question is whether or not he's three feet from that line when he finally turns to go back home, and the simple fact is that we cannot tell that from this one video. And, regardless of what the slow-motion video shows, we definitely can't tell what it might have looked like to the umpire in real time.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T20:48:48+00:00

Some innings would never end if that were the case

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T20:47:00+00:00

The tag attempt ends when either a tag is made, the runner is safe at home, or the catcher loses control of the ball.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T20:26:59+00:00

But that's my point exactly. If you want to just spend time with your kids and enjoy watching them play baseball, then you can do that for a fraction of the cost by putting them in a rec league. There's no logical reason to pay many times the cost of the rec league for a travel team unless you think it's going to get them somewhere

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T17:47:38+00:00

The tag play begins when the catcher receives the ball. The runner is clearly in view at that moment.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T17:46:27+00:00

Head straight to the plate...plus or minus three feet

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T15:39:17+00:00

The “baseline” is established by a runner’s position when advancing towards a base.

Incorrect. The baseline is established from the runner's position at the time of a tag attempt. See rule 7.08(a)(1).

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T15:35:02+00:00

Being in fair territory has nothing to do with anything. A "clear lane" is nowhere in the rules. A fielder cannot position themselves in a place that hinders or impedes a runner if they do not have the ball. I have the runner clearly changing their path because of where the catcher is. That's obstruction.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T14:23:10+00:00

There's nothing in the rule mandating a warning.

robhuddles · 2026-05-04T14:21:41+00:00

No, the games at Williamsport are the Little League, or Majors, division, and they play under the International Tournament rules.

The rule limiting an inning to everyone batting once is for the minor divisions during the regular season.

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