AboutMartin Hoover Expertise Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.
Experience Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire
Organizations Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.
Education/Credentials Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics
Awards and Honors Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)
Question Runners on first and third. Runner on first starts to steal when pitcher goes into motion. Catcher comes up and fakes a throw to second to draw the runner off of third. Catcher then throws to third and runner on third heads to home. The throws go back and forth with the runner in a "pickle" when the runner finally heads towards home. The catcher is 3-4 feet down the line towards third directly in the base path. The throw from third is on the infield side of the base path and is bobbled and dropped as the runner runs around (into the grass infield) and then slides into home on the first base side of the plate. There was no attempt to tag as the ball was dropped and no contact was made. How would you make the call?
Answer Kelly,
If the runner remained three feet within the running lane, there is no call. You could have an obstruction call if the catcher is blocking the path of the runner without having possession of the ball, but it sounds like that wasn't the case. There doesn't sound like anything happened in this situation that was a violation of the rules... no call.
