Baserunner goes to right field

[Guest Daryl]

Recently played a high school baseball game where the opposing team, with a runner on 3rd base, and the batter getting a base on balls, had the batter run to first and then continue towards the right fielder until he was about 20 feet from the right field position (about 100 feet from first and about 50 feet from the right field foul line.  After a bit of confusion, our first baseman received the ball and then moved towards the runner and then threw too late for the runner going home.  After the play, the umpire was asked about the validity of the play when a runner, without attempting to directly advance, runs near the right fielder and then stops.  It seems to make a mockery of the game.  It was explained by the umpire that the runner can locate wherever he wants and that that location establishes the baseline for the runner.  Thus, with this example, the baseline would not be a straight line between bases, but a line that goes from second base for about 150 feet toward the right field foul pole, and then angles back towards first base.

 

I found the explanation of the ruling quite confusing.  It was stated that according to the UIL and NFHS rules, that the runner at first can establish any running line to second, and thus locate himself in right field.  Is this true?

[DVA7130]

I agree with your umpire's explanation. The basepath is not established until there is a tag attempt, then it is a six foot wide lane directly from the runner to the two bases he is between.

[BigUmpire]

• “No, there does not need to be contact for interference -.mstaylor

[Rich Ives]

This play is called "skunk in the outfield" and has been ruled legal by NFHS.

 

Your team got suckered.  Next time they will know better.

[Richvee]

This is known as the "skunk in the outfield " play. Some might say bush league, but it is legal. The umpire is correct, and as DVA has stated the runner's base path is not established until there is a tag attempt on him. The issue with the skunk play, and often debated among umpires, is, when is the "tag attempt"? Is it when the 1st baseman originally starts chasing the runner, or is it when he gets close enough to make a tag? In other words, at what point must R1 run in a direct line towards 2nd or 1st base. 

[cyclonehokiece]

Lots of things in baseball are legal and us as umpires will call it as so, but in reality they are bush.  Live and learn.

[BigUmpire]

Sorry, I got an out.

Go ahead and protest.

Another stupid FED rule.

[maven]

Legal play. Pitch to the batter.

[boyinr]

Sorry, I got an out.

Go ahead and protest.

Another stupid FED rule.

So what other rules do you make up or ignore during your games? What makes this any different than an intentional rundown between first and second to distract the defense. I really don't see our role as umpires to write the rule book only enforce it.

[JaxRolo]

What's the OBR rule

[Mike Prince]

Agree, if you don't like the rules, don't umpire that level of ball. Pretty simple solution.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[BigUmpire]

 

Sorry, I got an out.

Go ahead and protest.

Another stupid FED rule.

So what other rules do you make up or ignore during your games? What makes this any different than an intentional rundown between first and second to distract the defense. I really don't see our role as umpires to write the rule book only enforce it.

 

"So what other rules do you make up or ignore during your games?"

 

You need some coffee this morning.

[JaxRolo]

No one like to work those lower levels.

Only reason they need umpires is to try to keep peace between coaches.

[maven]

 

 

Sorry, I got an out.

Go ahead and protest.

Another stupid FED rule.

So what other rules do you make up or ignore during your games? What makes this any different than an intentional rundown between first and second to distract the defense. I really don't see our role as umpires to write the rule book only enforce it.

 

"So what other rules do you make up or ignore during your games?"

 

You need some coffee this morning.

 

 

Big, skunk is legal in every code, and not uniquely permitted by FED.

[BigUmpire]

Sorry I am a purist.

I dont like things like this.

Hidden ball tricks , skunk plays are hors*^$t antics.

I have been down this road before and will stand my ground.

 

 

Play the game!

[maven]

Sorry I am a purist.

I dont like things like this.

Hidden ball tricks , skunk plays are hors*^$t antics.

I have been down this road before and will stand my ground.

 

 

Play the game!

 

Your option is to holler at 'em: "Don't do that!"

 

Then pitch 'em for failing to comply. 9.01(d)

 

This approach is an automatic entry for "reda$$ of the Month."

[cuban]

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

[Mike Prince]

Sorry I am a purist.

I dont like things like this.

Hidden ball tricks , skunk plays are hors*^$t antics.

I have been down this road before and will stand my ground.

 

 

Play the game!

Just because something "non-pure" which is permitted by the rules bothers you, it doesn't absolve you from your responsibility as an umpire to ensure the game complies with those rules.

[maven]

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

 

I don't know what "right" would be, but it might work once. After that, I won't grant time.

[BigUmpire]

 

Sorry I am a purist.

I dont like things like this.

Hidden ball tricks , skunk plays are hors*^$t antics.

I have been down this road before and will stand my ground.

 

 

Play the game!

Just because something "non-pure" which is permitted by the rules bothers you, it doesn't absolve you from your responsibility as an umpire to ensure the game complies with those rules.

 

You dont know me very well.

[Mike Prince]

 

 

Sorry I am a purist.

I dont like things like this.

Hidden ball tricks , skunk plays are hors*^$t antics.

I have been down this road before and will stand my ground.

 

 

Play the game!

Just because something "non-pure" which is permitted by the rules bothers you, it doesn't absolve you from your responsibility as an umpire to ensure the game complies with those rules.

 

You dont know me very well.

 

 

No, I don't but that's not relevant.

 

 The OP asked whether something was within the rules.  The answer is that it is.  He didn't ask if any of us, whose job it is to enforce said rules, liked it.

 

What's next - you will refuse the intentional walk, pitchouts, double substitutions, pinch hitters and the long list of other things that are perfectly legal but "ruin" the game?     

 

I'm going to grab that cup of coffee now.

[blue23ll]

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

 

Calling time is not correct, as the play is still in progress. BR/R1 can advance or return to first, and he can also be put out on a tag. The way to defend this play is to ignore R1, until he commits to return to first or advance to second.

[maven]

 

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

 

Calling time is not correct, as the play is still in progress. BR/R1 can advance or return to first, and he can also be put out on a tag. The way to defend this play is to ignore R1, until he commits to return to first or advance to second.

 

If F1 is standing there with the ball looking at me and requesting time, there is no play in progress.

 

R1 is leading off, and the fact that he is off the base is no reason to deny a legitimate request for time, his unusual choice of lead-off spot notwithstanding. If R1 were in a more customary lead-off spot, nobody would think twice about granting time.

[ricka56]

 

 

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

 

Calling time is not correct, as the play is still in progress. BR/R1 can advance or return to first, and he can also be put out on a tag. The way to defend this play is to ignore R1, until he commits to return to first or advance to second.

If F1 is standing there with the ball looking at me and requesting time, there is no play in progress.

 

R1 is leading off, and the fact that he is off the base is no reason to deny a legitimate request for time, his unusual choice of lead-off spot notwithstanding. If R1 were in a more customary lead-off spot, nobody would think twice about granting time.

 

But if R1 continued to be the skunk, how many times would you could call time out? Something has to give.  

[Mike Prince]

Here is how I would defend the play. Please let me know if agree or dis agree.

If R1 is just standing in right field, I would consider this his lead off.

I would just have my pitcher step off the rubber and ask for time.

Now no one can advance.

Am I right about this?

 

Calling time is not correct, as the play is still in progress. BR/R1 can advance or return to first, and he can also be put out on a tag. The way to defend this play is to ignore R1, until he commits to return to first or advance to second.

If F1 is standing there with the ball looking at me and requesting time, there is no play in progress.

 

R1 is leading off, and the fact that he is off the base is no reason to deny a legitimate request for time, his unusual choice of lead-off spot notwithstanding. If R1 were in a more customary lead-off spot, nobody would think twice about granting time.

 

But if R1 continued to be the skunk, how many times would could call time out? Somrthing has to give.

F1 can request time all day.  WIthout a legitimate reason his request should not be granted.

[maven]

Answered that in my first post.

maven