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Senor Azul

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Everything posted by Senor Azul

  1. First, let’s look at current NFHS rule 1-5-11: ART. 11 . . . Non-traditional playing equipment must be reviewed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee before it will be permitted to be used. As far as I can tell the last time the FED ruled on anything technology-related was in 2015 when they approved dugout usage of video monitoring or replay equipment for coaching purposes during games. The rule governing the use of technology aids by the coach is 3-3-1h and is illustrated in related case plays 3.3.1 Situations O and P (also see case plays 3.3.1 OO and PP for video). Since there appears to be no approval from the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee yet I would say that the use of wireless communication between dugout coach and catcher is not yet legal. The NCAA has used wireless communication in an experimental trial that started in 2018 and has not yet approved it for general use. Little League specifically makes it illegal for any wireless communication between coach and on-field personnel in its rule 3.17.
  2. Here’s the official interpretation that can be found in the 2016 BRD (section 290, p. 190): OBR Official Interpretation: Wendelstedt: After ball four, a batter becomes a runner. Since the ball is not batted, any hindrance that occurs on the catcher or the catcher’s throw must be intentional for interference to be called. For the FED the BRD states that there is no provision and to treat it as in OBR.
  3. I would agree that FED rules do not address this question directly but there is a way to construe an answer by using the 2019 FED rules 3-2-3 and 8-4-2g— 3-2 ART. 3 . . . nor shall the base coach or members of the team at bat fail to vacate any area needed by a fielder in his attempt to put out a batter or runner. PENALTY: The ball is dead immediately and the runner is out. The batter-runner or runner may be out as in 7-4-1f and 8-4-2g. Other runners return as in 8-2-8. 8-4 ART. 2 . . . Any runner is out when he: g. …or his being put out is prevented by an illegal act by anyone connected with the team (2-21-1, 3-2-2, 3) …If the umpire is uncertain who would have been played on, the runner closest to home shall be called out; or
  4. From the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (pp. 104-106): If, at any given time, two or more fielders are expecting to field a batted ball, the one who is in a better position to field it (usually the one nearer the ball) is given priority over the other fielders by the umpire. [6.01(a) (10)] Only one fielder can have priority at a given time, but priority can be immediately taken from one fielder and given to another. R2. The third baseman and shortstop converge on a ground ball. Either fielder can field it, but the third baseman is nearer the ball when R2 contacts the shortstop: the protected fielder is the third baseman; hence, there is not interference. Moreover, the shortstop has obstructed R2.
  5. I have posted the following at least twice before. From the 2018 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.15, p. 46)(the mechanic was new for 2018): Play 1: Batter-runner hits a ground ball and beats the play at first base but misses the bag as he passes it with both feet. Ruling 1: The proper mechanic is for the umpire to make no call on the play because the batter-runner has not yet touched first base. If the defense appeals by tagging the runner (or base) and appealing that the runner missed first base before the runner returns to first base, the batter-runner would be declared out.
  6. From the very first FED rule book (1945) there has been a rule against throwing a bat and interfering with play. Here is how it appeared in 1945 as rule 8-5-1c: The batter-runner is out when… c. His bat hits the ball a second time while it is on or over fair ground and deflects its course. When this occurs, ball becomes dead. Play—B2 bunts. Ball in flight or on the ground in front of home base is hit as the batter’s swing is completed or when he drops his bat. RULING: B2 is out. Ball becomes dead and each runner must return to his base. By 1953 the rule had become 8-4-1c and here is what you may be asking about and where any confusion may have started… c. His bat hits the ball a second time and the act is intentional or the bat is carelessly dropped or thrown in such a way as to strike the ball and deflect its course; or NOTE: This is interference and the ball becomes dead (5-1-1e). If it is clearly accidental and ball rolls into the bat, it is not interference. The rule became 7-3-6 in 1981 (I think).
  7. Yes, it would be interference in OBR. I posted the following just a few days ago— From the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (pp. 148-149): Pitch versus Throw to Home If an in-contact pitcher steps toward home, there cannot be a throw--there can only be a pitch or balk (or both). E.G.: R3 is stealing home. Without disengaging, the pitcher steps forward and pitches, whereupon the batter swings and contacts the catcher: defensive interference. Moreover, if a pitcher who is not in-contact (or has disengaged) steps and throws home, there cannot be a pitch (unless there is deceptive imitation of a motion to pitch). E.G.: The pitcher is in the windup position, his hands apart, and the batter is prepared to bat. As R3 dashes for home, the pitcher properly disengages the rubber and throws home. The batter swings at the ball, contacts the catcher (who is standing over home plate) and R3 slides into home without being tagged: the pitcher has not balked. The batter has interfered with the catcher's try to field the throw, and an out must be declared for his interference.
  8. A batter cannot hit a throw—only a pitch. It is interference by the batter when he swings at a throw. Unfortunately, OBR (Little League rules based on OBR) does not specifically address this question of pitch versus throw. As Mr. noumpere posted there is a FED case play and even better there is an NCAA rule that spells out precisely that it is interference. 2019 NFHS Case Book Play 7.3.5 Situation G: With no outs and F1 in the set position, R3 attempts to steal home. F1 legally steps backward off the pitcher’s plate and throws home. B2 hits the ball. Ruling: Typically, batter’s interference is a delayed dead ball in order to give the defense an opportunity to make an out on the initial putout attempt. Since the batter hit the ball, the defense was not afforded an opportunity to make a play. Therefore, the ball is declared dead immediately, R3 is out because of B2’s interference. (5-1-2a and dead ball table #25, 7-3-5, 8-4-2l) 2019-2020 NCAA rule 7-11v. If the batter hits, or attempts to hit, a throw made to home plate by the pitcher who is not in contact with the pitching rubber, and is attempting to retire a runner stealing home, interference shall be called and the ball is dead. PENALTY for v.—With two outs, the batter is out. With fewer than two outs, the runner shall be out.
  9. In the set position the time of the pitch occurs the instant the pitcher, after coming to a complete and discernible stop, starts any movement of his arms or legs that commits him to pitch. (FED rule 2-28-3) From the 2018 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.25—p. 51): A runner who advances while the pitcher is in contact with the rubber is considered to occupy the base last touched at the time the pitcher initiates his actual pitching motion to the batter. The pitching motion is defined as any movement which commits the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter. As long as the pitcher is not committed to pitch, a runner may advance and is considered to occupy the last base touched at the time the pitcher initiates the actual delivery to the batter. The preliminary motion known as the “stretch” is not considered the start of the pitching motion. From the 2016 BRD (section 431, p. 288)— Case Play 271-431: R1, R3. As the pitcher begins his preliminary stretch in the set position, R1 breaks for second. F1, fearing either a balk or a score, makes no attempt to play on R1. Instead, he comes to his complete stop. Before he begins his motion to deliver, R1 touches second. B1 fouls off the pitch. Ruling: R1 may keep second, for he had touched the base before TOP.
  10. A fielder is protected [OBR 6.01(a)(10)] if he is trying to field a batted ball, i.e., he is in the act of fielding. So, how do you define in the act of fielding? The best definition I have found so far is in the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (p. 104). It is not an official interpretation but I think it is still very good and helpful here: A fielder is trying to field (or in the act of fielding) a ball when: he is positioning himself for the purpose of trying to glove a rapidly approaching ball, or he is actually gloving the ball, or has gloved the ball and, without having to take steps, is trying to gain possession of the ball, or he is actually throwing the ball, or completing his throwing motion after throwing the ball (following through) From your description, Mr. MT73, I would agree with you. The fielder chose not to field the ball so I don’t think you should protect him.
  11. Senor Azul

    Timed play

    One of the others here, Jay, just to make Mr. maven prophetic. The answer to your question is actually in black and white in the rule book… 2020 NFHS rule 8-2-6h ART. 6 . . . Appeal procedures and guidelines h. Tag-Ups. If a runner leaves a base too soon on a caught fly ball and returns in an attempt to retag, this is considered a time play and not a force out. If the appeal is the third out, all runs scored by runners in advance of the appealed runner and scored ahead of the legal appeal would count. I daresay that the rule is not just adjacent to Mr. maven’s answer but coequal an answer, wouldn’t you?
  12. Senor Azul

    Hit by Pitch

    From the Little League website in its FAQs-- If the batter “freezes” when the pitch is delivered and does not try to avoid the pitch, is the batter awarded first base for being hit by the pitch? Yes. Although rule 6.08(b) requires the batter to make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitched ball, a batter “freezing” when a pitch is well inside and hits the batter while inside the batter’s box should not be interpreted as not making an attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch.
  13. Senor Azul

    Hit by Pitch

    2019 LL Rules Instruction Manual 6.08 - The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided said runner advances to and touches first base) when – (b) the batter is touched by a pitched ball which the batter is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; NOTE: If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if that batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched. 2019 LL Make the Right Call (the LL case book): Rule 6.08(b)(2) SITUATION: Harold is at bat with an 0-2 count when the pitcher delivers a breaking ball out of the strike zone which strikes Harold in the thigh. The umpire rules that Harold made no attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch. The ball is dead, the pitch is ruled a ball and Harold remains at the plate with a count of 1-2. RULING: This is correct provided that the umpire is totally convinced that the batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch. The phrase no attempt leaves plenty of room for umpire judgment.
  14. Senor Azul

    Balk?

    From the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (pp. 148-149): Pitch versus Throw to Home If an in-contact pitcher steps toward home, there cannot be a throw--there can only be a pitch or balk (or both). E.G.: R3 is stealing home. Without disengaging, the pitcher steps forward and pitches, whereupon the batter swings and contacts the catcher: defensive interference. Moreover, if a pitcher who is not in-contact (or has disengaged) steps and throws home, there cannot be a pitch (unless there is deceptive imitation of a motion to pitch). E.G.: The pitcher is in the windup position, his hands apart, and the batter is prepared to bat. As R3 dashes for home, the pitcher properly disengages the rubber and throws home. The batter swings at the ball, contacts the catcher (who is standing over home plate) and R3 slides into home without being tagged: the pitcher has not balked. The batter has interfered with the catcher's try to field the throw, and an out must be declared for his interference.
  15. From the 2016 BRD (section 424, p. 283): FED Official Interpretation: Hopkins: A pitcher may throw or feint a throw to an unoccupied base in an attempt to put out or drive back a runner. As long as the umpire judges that it is reasonable for the pitcher to believe he had a play…, even though the runner stopped, it is a legal move. 2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.2.4 Situation A: With R3 on third and R1 on first, F1 stretches and comes set. He then swings his entire nonpivot foot behind the back edge of the pitcher’s plate, steps toward second and (a) throws the ball to second in an attempt to retire R1, who is advancing there or (b) feints throw to second to drive R1 back to first, who has neither attempted nor feinted an advance to second. RULING: In (a), this is legal. In (b), it is a balk. 2013 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations SITUATION 20: With runners at first base and second base, the runner at second bluffs a steal of third by running hard to third before he stops and retreats back to second base. The pitcher, seeing the runner take off hard to third base, legally throws to the unoccupied third base. The third-base coach wants a balk called on the pitcher since the runner from second stopped. RULING: A pitcher may throw or feint a throw to an unoccupied base in an attempt to put out or drive back a runner. As long as the umpire judges that it is reasonable for the pitcher to believe he had a play at third, even though the runner stopped, it is a legal move. (6-2-4b) SITUATION 19: The runner at first base takes off in an attempt to steal second base. The pitcher legally makes a spin move and throws to unoccupied second base to easily retire the stealing runner. The third-base coach argues, saying the pitcher cannot throw to an unoccupied base. RULING: A pitcher may throw or feint a throw to an unoccupied base in an attempt to put out or drive back a runner. The out stands. (6-2-4b)
  16. At one time we all agreed that the FED definition of when a pitch ends is limited in scope. Mr. beerguy55, you posted the following July 18, 2019, in the thread Is This a Hit By Pitch? in the Ask the Umpire forum. There are base running awards based on a pitch, or pitched ball going out of play...and the definition of a "pitch" is what determines if that ball that went out of play was a "pitched ball" or something else. To me, the definition of a "pitch", and where a "pitch" ends, is applicable to awards as a result of the ball going out of play...pitched ball vs batted ball vs thrown (kicked/redirected) ball But I don't think there's one way to wrap in a bow a clean definition of either a pitch, or a pitched ball, or both, to cover all technicalities. 1. There is a standard for a pitch when it goes out of play. 2. There is a standard for a pitch, in determining the point when a batter can no longer swing to get a U3K, or get hit by a pitch, or bat the ball (but it's still a pitch for the purposes of going out of play) 3. There is a standard for a pitch in determining the catcher's ability to catch a third strike. (and sometimes this lines up with point 2 and sometimes it doesn't) And I don't think you can cleanly define and apply black and white terminology, especially against the second two because there is overlap (eg. a pitch that touches the catcher can still be caught for a third strike, or go out of play as a pitch, but can't be batted or ruled a HBP). At that point, it's all about common sense and understanding the spirit of the game. You can't follow the literal definitions. And you know what? Mr. maven also agreed with this limited application of FED rule 2-28-4. He posted earlier in that same thread the following— That rule applies to judging the status of the ball when it leaves the field. It's a pitched ball until one of those things occurs. After that, it's a batted or thrown ball (if live) or dead.
  17. Mr. beerguy55, the concept you are talking about is that a bat becomes part of the field when legally discarded by the batter-runner. There are at least two FED case plays that state this concept. Here’s one (the other is 2.16.1 Situation D)— 2020 NFHS Case Book Play 8.4.1 Situation E With bases loaded, B4 hits a one-hopper to F5, who throws to the plate. The throw is off line and hits B4's bat that had been tossed away from the plate by the umpire. Is this interference? RULING: No. The bat in this situation is considered part of the playing field. Therefore, the ball remains alive. Now onto the argument that Mr. maven makes that somehow there is a difference between a whole, unbroken bat thrown interfering with a fielder as opposed to interfering with the ball. Again, there are at least two case plays that prove that argument is wrong. The first has already been posted—case play 7.3.5 Situation I in which the thrown bat knocks a thrown ball out of mid-air. Here’s the second case play— 2020 NFHS Case Book Play 8.4.1 Situation J: B1 bunts the ball down the first-base line, the catcher comes out from behind the plate and (a) the batter/runner intentionally drops/throws his bat and contacts the batted ball prior to any fielder having an opportunity to field the ball; (b) without contacting the ball intentionally, the batter/runner drops/throws his bat or other batter/runner equipment which impedes a fielder’s opportunity to field the ball. RULING: The ball becomes dead immediately in both (a) and (b), the batter/runner is ruled out and all runners return to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch. The batter may not use a bat or any other personal equipment to hinder the defense.
  18. Senor Azul

    Hit by pitch

    Rather than attributing some malevolent intent to the pitcher I would think that this situation arises much more when the umpire grants time too late. If the pitcher has started his motion to pitch we should not be granting time. In fact, it even states that in the OBR rule book in its rule 5.04(b)(2) Comment— Umpires will not call “Time” at the request of the batter or any member of his team once the pitcher has started his windup or has come to a set position even though the batter claims “dust in his eyes,” “steamed glasses,” “didn’t get the sign” or for any other cause.
  19. Out of curiosity I looked up the South Carolina governing bodies for high school sports. Apparently, there are two—the South Carolina High School League and a smaller entity called the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). Here’s what their respective websites say about appeals-- RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING ATHLETIC CONTESTS SPONSORED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FOR 2020-21 2. National Federation Baseball Rules will be used in all games. a. Dead ball appeals will not be recognized. South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Non-Appeal Play On failing to proper tag-up or a runner missing a base, SCISA umpires will declare the runners out once the ball is declared dead.
  20. Here at U-E the most used definition of when a pitch ends is the FED definition found in its rule 2-28-4-- 2019 FED rule 2-28-4 A pitch ends when the pitched ball: a. Is secured by the catcher; b. comes to rest; c. goes out of play; d. becomes dead; or e. the batter hits the ball (other than a foul tip). The NCAA covers this question in its rule 8-3o-4 Note 1 and the OBR has just an official interpretation. NCAA: A pitch not secured by the catcher but remaining in the playing area ends when it stops rolling. OBR: Official Interpretation: Wendelstedt: The pitch ends when the ball delivered by the pitcher is either caught by the catcher, is hit by the batter, touches the batter before being deflected, or goes (or would have gone) out of play on its own or its deflected momentum. (2013 WRIM, p. 8)
  21. Mr. Velho, what you are asking about is called defensive malicious contact. Both the FED and the NCAA actually have rules covering this—in FED it’s rule 3-3-1m and in the NCAA they use their current rule 5-16a. Here’s the FED rule and a FED case play to illustrate the rule— 2020 rule 3 SECTION 3 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not: m. initiate malicious contact on offense or defense; 2019 NFHS Case Book Play 3.3.1 Situation JJ: With two outs, and R2 on second base and R1 on first, B5 hits the ball in the gap. R2 touches and rounds third, R1 touches and rounds second. B5 touches and rounds first, F3 initiates malicious contact with B5 as a play is developing at third base on R2 a) before a tag, or b) after a tag. RULING: In (a), the ball is dead, and in the umpire’s judgment R2 scores, R1 is awarded third base, B5 is awarded second base, and F3 is ejected for malicious contact. In (b) the ball is dead, the out at third base is recorded, thus making R2’s score a timing play. F3 is also ejected for malicious contact. For OBR those deliberate acts you ask about are simply considered obstruction according to the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (p. 126): It is obstruction if—a fielder intentionally impedes a runner (e.g., trips, pins, grabs, or tackles him, blocks his vision, etc.).
  22. The following interpretation can be found in the 2016 BRD (section 362, p. 242): FED Official Interpretation: Hopkins: If BR misses first but beats the throw, he is “considered safe” and the umpire should so signal. If the defense appeals, the umpire will reverse his call. 2015 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations SITUATION 20: The batter hits the ball to the shortstop who bobbles the ball and throws late to first base. The batter-runner beats the throw but does not touch first base. RULING: The runner beats the ball on the play and is considered to be safe. The defense must appeal the missed base or tag the batter-runner before he returns to first in order to have the out declared for the missed base. (8-2-1 Penalty)
  23. From the 2016 BRD (section 283, p. 184): OBR Official Interpretation: Wendelstedt: If a batter attempts to create catcher’s interference by intentionally directing his swing toward the catcher, no catcher’s interference should be called. However, if such intentional actions interfere with the catcher’s ability to make a play on a runner, interference should be called on the batter, or if for the third strike, on the batter who has just been put out (when the runner is out). (e-mail to Childress, 7/13/12) Additionally, the 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (p. 122) says it is not catcher's interference if the batter tries to hit the catcher versus hitting the pitch. Here's a sample play from their manual: R3, stealing. The batter takes two or three steps backward during the pitch. Catcher's interference is no longer possible. The NCAA actually has incorporated this into its rules (current rule 7-4h).
  24. Senor Azul

    IFF and Intf.

    To our guest, Oldtimer, I think the reason you could not find any help in the case books is that there really is no provision for interference by a runner while the infield fly is still airborne. Under FED rules interference by a runner causes an immediate dead ball. Actually the OBR was the same ruling until 2013 when they amended the definition of the term infield fly-- The Official Playing Rules Committee made the following changes that will be in effect for the 2013 season: • Amended Rule 2.00 (INFIELD FLY) Comment to include the situation when interference occurs during an Infield Fly. If interference is called during an Infield Fly, the ball remains alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the batter are out. If foul, even if caught, the runner is out and the batter returns to bat. The 2016 BRD stated that there was no provision under FED rules and recommended that we follow the OBR ruling which is what Mr. MadMax and Mr. maven posted earlier.
  25. FED rule 8-4-1a is not the applicable rule for this question. Rule 7-3-6 is the correct one to apply here— 2019 NFHS rule 7-3 ART. 6 . . . If the bat breaks and is hit by the ball or hits a runner or a fielder, no interference shall be called. If a whole bat is thrown and interferes with a defensive player attempting a play, interference will be called. PENALTY: The batter is out and runners return. If, in the umpire’s judgment, interference prevented a possible double play, two players may be ruled out. Please note that the rule does not say anything about intentional or accidental—the batter cannot throw his whole, unbroken bat and affect a possible play. This rule added to the case play 7.3.6 where it clearly states that the batter is “responsible for controlling his bat and not allowing it to interfere with a defensive player attempting a play” is pretty persuasive. In addition, FED case play 8.4.1 Situation J closes its ruling with this unequivocal statement—“The batter may not use a bat or any other personal equipment to hinder the defense.”
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