Fan Interference ?

[mbrown2097]

Hey guys,

High School Baseball.  (I'm an fan in this one and not behind the plate)

 

Bases Loaded, winning run on 3rd, 1 out.

 

Pitcher begins his deliver to home when a fan yells TIME very loudly.

Pitcher stops and does not throw. 

 

I am not terribly familar with FED so I am looking for some help on this one.

I assume that this is a Balk as I doubt that there is a fan yelling time clause in the rule book.

If this is a coach, I have an EJ and no balk.

 

What do you all have?

 

 

[mstaylor]

Unfortunately  a balk. It's a chicken**** thing to do but not much we can do. 

[maven]

This. ^

 

No FED rule allows you to avoid the balk call here.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Was this a varsity game?

 

A colossal show I would imagine. 

[UmpJM]

The scream was so loud, that I called "Time" before the pitcher aborted his delivery to see what was going on.....

 

Well, just a thought.

 

JM

[24sdad]

The scream was so loud, that I called "Time" before the pitcher aborted his delivery to see what was going on.....

 

Well, just a thought.

 

JM

And not a bad thought at that.  

 

Our association CIF (FED) liaison has assured us if he receives a written report on a parent acting so idiotic as to disrupt a game, CIF will take action - up to banning that parent from all future games.  I am sure this is more for the truly unruly parent, but it would be nice to see some action taken against the idiot who, in effect, influenced the outcome of a game.

[Ring 'em Up]

The scream was so loud, that I called "Time" before the pitcher aborted his delivery to see what was going on.....

 

Well, just a thought.

 

JM

And not a bad thought at that.  

 

Our association CIF (FED) liaison has assured us if he receives a written report on a parent acting so idiotic as to disrupt a game, CIF will take action - up to banning that parent from all future games.  I am sure this is more for the truly unruly parent, but it would be nice to see some action taken against the idiot who, in effect, influenced the outcome of a game.

 

although, i would hate to call it, yes a balk.. but in my opinion, the action by this unruly parent did influence the outcome of the game, and hence i would definately would have a written report, and send if off to CIF.  

ron-

[Replacematt]

I think you may be able to nullify the balk, per 2-21-3 and 8-2-9 Table. If FED considers verbal obstruction and interference, then that would logically extend to spectators, and 8-2-9 states that umpire judgement determines base awards under 2-21-3.

[UmpJM]

Matt,

 

No, it would not "logically extend to spectators".

 

JM

[Replacematt]

Matt,

 

No, it would not "logically extend to spectators".

 

JM

 

I'm not dying on this hill--it's just a thought...

 

However, when you look at the wording of 2-21-3, why not?

[umpcoachfather]

No Balk - Rule 9

[UmpJM]

Which part of Rule 9?

 

JM

[umpcoachfather]

9.01 C.  © Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.

 

and if that isnt specified in the Fed, I wouldnt care. 

I would only do it in the event I felt it was loud enough to cause the balk.

Also, the calling of time mentioned above is good, but also since the offensive team can't do anything to cause the pitcher to balk, I would have sworn that call came from the dugout. 
 

[SoCal Lurker]

Curious aside.  Let's assume we live in a universe whre the OHC if offended and appaled that some @#@#$# in the fans was interfering with his team's effort to win the game honestly, and he tells his runners to stay put -- can he do that, or are runners awarded a base required to advance the base?

[maven]

 

Matt,

 

No, it would not "logically extend to spectators".

 

JM

 

I'm not dying on this hill--it's just a thought...

 

However, when you look at the wording of 2-21-3, why not?

 

Well, you (Matt) are correct that the scope of 2-21-3 is quite broad, but I (along with JM, it seems) would not regard ruling SPEC/INT in this case a logical extension of the verbal INT/OBS rule for players. At least not in the sense of being required.

 

In any case, even if it might be permitted, superior enforcement options here would be (as already stated above):

1. Ignore if it has no impact
2. Call time to prevent any impact if needed ("He didn't balk, coach, I had already killed it!")

[Dragon29]

. . . and he tells his runners to stay put -- can he do that, or are runners awarded a base required to advance the base?

Any Manager, Coach or Player that ignores a legal instruction from an umpire is subject to ejection.

 

I'd start w/the Manager and if the runners didn't get it by the time he was gone, . . . . whoosh!

[SoCal Lurker]

 

. . . and he tells his runners to stay put -- can he do that, or are runners awarded a base required to advance the base?

Any Manager, Coach or Player that ignores a legal instruction from an umpire is subject to ejection.

 

I'd start w/the Manager and if the runners didn't get it by the time he was gone, . . . . whoosh!

 

   the manager tries to be sporting by declining a base award caused by a horse's nether region, and you're gonna toss him instead of telling him he's not allowed to make that choice?!?!?  Seriously?!?!?  The team doesn't want to win in that chicken-$hit way, and you're not gonna help support the sportsmanship by helping look for a way out?!?!?

[Dragon29]

 

 

. . . and he tells his runners to stay put -- can he do that, or are runners awarded a base required to advance the base?

Any Manager, Coach or Player that ignores a legal instruction from an umpire is subject to ejection.

 

I'd start w/the Manager and if the runners didn't get it by the time he was gone, . . . . whoosh!

 

   the manager tries to be sporting by declining a base award caused by a horse's nether region, and you're gonna toss him instead of telling him he's not allowed to make that choice?!?!?  Seriously?!?!?  The team doesn't want to win in that chicken-$hit way, and you're not gonna help support the sportsmanship by helping look for a way out?!?!?

 

 

Hell, no!  I don't mean I'd simply toss him at first request.  I'm not trigger-happy.  I only meant to answer your question by describing what the ultimate penalty could be, not what I would immediately do.

 

I'd certainly respect any manager who made that request, but I'm there to enforce the rules and there's nothing in the book that allows him to decline a base award and I'd have to tell him that.  I would only EJ if they flat refused to comply because at that point, it's not about the base awards anymore.

 

Sorry it came off so hard-ass - didn't mean it that way. 

[SoCal Lurker]

 

 

I'd certainly respect any manager who made that request, but I'm there to enforce the rules and there's nothing in the book that allows him to decline a base award and I'd have to tell him that.  I would only EJ if they flat refused to comply because at that point, it's not about the base awards anymore.

 

 

thx- that was really my question whether a team *had* to accept a base award, or was simply *entitled* to the base but if they didn't take the base they were entiteled to could decline to advance.