Played at a field tonight where a tree is on the outside of the fence. The branches lean over into foul territory and even past the foul line into fair territory just barely. The ground rules were explained that the ball was live if it hit the branches. So if a ball in the air hits the branches and is caught before hitting the ground it would be an out. Surely that cannot be the right interpretation of this.
This team also didn't chalk the batters box after the JV game before varsity game. First inning their batter sets up in the box with his front foot where the front of the box is / should be. There was still some chalk but you could see the line of the LHH box to visualize where the RHH box would be. Their guy gets a hit with his foot clearly out of the box. No call - I discuss / argue with the plate ump. Same kid's next at bat he sets up further in the box and half his foot is already out of the box. Kid crushes the ball over the fence for a 2 run homer. As soon as he hits it I start losing my mind and the plate ump waits until he reaches first then calls him out. So he got it right. Other coach loses his mind and starts arguing for a very long time. About ready to resume play and other coach calls time. Gets a rake, the chalk cart and the template to actually lay lines down. Neither umpire never tosses him. We had to wait 6 or 7 minutes for him to do this. I demanded that my pitcher gets a few warm up pitches since the argument lasted about 6 or 7 minutes on top of the grounds keeping delay. He let my guy throw 3 pitches.
My head hurts after tonight.