Sanctions against a manager, a warning and/or ejection--[not the team itself]  Not specifficaly written with the intention to prevent a double play, but for any/all other reason(s)---including, of course, to prevent a double play. All of which are  not spelled out in LL print.   An umpire's judgment call!!  Find that in the RIM----not the rulebook.

Nothing to change in the rulebook, unless of course, the RIM (penalty) wording on the subject is suggested to be added to Rule 7.13.

Frank!

Since someone already mentioned Administrative Removal (which I've advocated for years now), I won't bother.

I would like to see the SPR rule get converted to a true Courtesy Runner rule.  Allow CRs for the catcher and pitcher only, so that they can get ready for the next defensive half-inning.  This will speed things up a little.

For the life of me, I never could understand why LL had this SPR thing.  I think LL is the only organization that has it.  It really serves no useful purpose, in my mind.  And it can't be used under the Continuous Batting Order format, which means SPRs are nonexistent in LL Minors, and at higher levels where the local league opts to use CBO.  So why bother having an option that cannot be exercised in most divisions of LL?

OTOH, a true Courtesy Runner is an option that speeds things up (something that is desperately needed in Minors!).  It is used in many other baseball and softball organizations, even at the high school level.  Under CBO, a CR for the pitcher or catcher would be the previous batter in the order who is not on base.

If someone can convince me that CRs are worse than SPRs, I may change my tune.

NELL_blue wrote:

 

I hope you feel better!! Much easier to breath now.

 

So, the rule makers that you mention, would they not like to know how many practicing umpires feel about the rules they write for us to follow?

I have many rules at my job that I have to follow, some people blindly follow and others like to know why some rules exist.

 

Isn't there one rule that you would change if you were the only rule maker?

My comment was soley addressing Kyle's remark that the rule should be left as is because it is "FUN" to enforce, and the implication that it is FUN to enforce because of the reaction from confused players, coaches and fans.

It is the motivation stated - the ability to make a call that says "I know more than you" which borders on "the game is about me" that I object to.....

Read this statement:

"It is, by far, the most fun rule to enforce. I've hade two poof plays, but the bases loaded triple, where the BR gets thrown out at the plate is the best. Don't take the possibility of calling that again away from me. Just calling an out is boring. Pulling runners out of the dugout, putting them back on the bases, and having the parents go "what, what, WHAT!?" is awsome."

I know Kyle is dedicated to youth ball, etc, but a statement like that can NOT go unchallenge on a board dedicated to serious umpiring..

There was no modification or indication that the statement was tounge in cheek.... fine, I do that many times (as you know)..... but I put in my comment to give others perspective...

I have nothing against suggestions for rule changes - but I have to admit, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about changes....

NELL:  Your picture looks  to be a Norman Rockwell, "Saturday Evening Post" cover from the 1940's.  

Right? Wrong?

Frank!

Oh yes, also remember the bat for choosing sandlot games players.

First, the bat was thrown from one "captain" to the other.

The "hand over hand" to the nub of the bat for 1st choice of available players started from where the other "captain" caught the bat.

Back in the late 30's, "Great Depression" years,  if we didn't have a real baseball--[usually battered and tattered]--we collectecd pennies, adding up to 5-cents, to buy what we called a "nickel-brick" at the local neighborhood grocery store.

That "ball" consisted of sawdust or wood shavings, held together by heavy tape.

Lucky if one lasted for the entire game. Home runs non-existant. Bases were usually landmarks, tree, bush, sewer cover. etc., or piece of cardboard held down by a stone.

"Depression"--- or not, great years for us kids and friendships. Not so great for parents, adults, looking to provide for us kids. Us kids didn't know any better---we were clothed and fed. Everybody was in the same "boat"----so we kids didn't know things were "bad."

Many real big families those days.

Family on next street over had sixteen(16) kids! 

Mother of same went to Mass every morning!

Frank!