Phantom Tag

[Mudder]

Is there a penalty for a phantom or fake tag?

I'm PU, hit down the right field line, R2 is on his way home, throw is coming home, I'm in 3BLX initially, throw is cut off by F1 who throws to 2B to try and get batter/runner. F2 was positioned just in front of the plate and tried the fake swipe tag move, although he did not have the ball (was cut off by F1). R2 crossed the plate standing up.

I did not totally see it from my position looking into RF, although I did see from my peripheral vision F2 made some movement, but as I say I did not get a clear view of exactly what he did.

Offensive coach and R2 complain he can't do that, and he should at least get a warning/ejection for this. I warned F2 not to do it again. Whats the penalty for this? OBR

[UmpJM]

Mudder,

Under FED rules, a fake tag is considered obstruction and unsportsmanlike conduct. Enforce the obstruction (though in this case, that would be moot), issue a team warning, ejection on a subsequent offense. If the fake tag does not induce the runner to slide, I'd likely inform the offender that he can't do that rather than issue a formal warning. The reason FED has the rule is as a safety consideration to prevent unnecessary slides.

Under "real" OBR rules, a fake tag is considered a legal deke and is not in any way illegal. In my experience, many/most (but not all) youth leagues that play under "modified" OBR rules incorporate the FED prohibition against fake tags.

JM

P.S. The term "phantom tag" is generally used in a different context - typically to denote a tag attempt that was not successfully completed - but close - that the umpire ruled an out anyway. See "neighborhood play".

[JaxRolo]

JM is correct.

Also make sure you saw it. If you didn't see it or not sure what you saw. Don't let a coach talk you into it.

[Jocko]

I thought phantom was different than fake. Fake is specifically covered in FED.

[mstaylor]

In Fed, warn and eject. In straight OBR, nothing except making a sore catcher at his next AB. In youth OBR, LL,Pony or BR, I would have UC and use the warn and eject penalty. I assume you are working one man since you are concentrating on the ball in the outfield. If so back up a little so you can look through the plate and see the touch but track the ball. If you are working two man, back up and pick the ball up later.