Your Interp?

[ElkOil]

At an MSBL game tonight one of the players asked me about a runner interfering with the pivot man in a double play. He believed that the runner must slide or get out of the way of the throw, and that if he kept running toward the base a double play should be called. Here's the local MSBL rule:

8. COLLISIONS/FAKE TAGS

Base runners shall not collide with any defensive players. In the case of a base runner colliding with a fielder, the base runner will be called out and may, at the umpire's discretion, be ejected from the game. All base runners may either slide or give up their right to a base (avoid a collision by stopping or leaving a base path) and/or, if the defensive player (e.g. catcher) has possession of the ball, is in the act of receiving the ball, or is about to immediately receive the ball and will be able to make an apparent play on the base runner. Fake tags are not allowed.

I read this to be only applicable in order to avoid a collision. In the case the player asked about, no collision was imminent. Thoughts?

[ricka56]

I would disagree with that player's contention. I assume that there are other OBR type rules that include interference on a thrown ball (which require intent) and a runner being allowed to continue to run the bases after being put out, in your rule set. A runner may be guilty of interference on a thrown ball, but that is always a HTBT sitch.

[noumpere]

I would expect (probably incorrectly) a league that has that rule 8 to also have a "force play slide rule" of some sort.  I would say that the rule 8 does not (normally) apply on a double play, but the other rule might.

[ElkOil]

I would disagree with that player's contention. I assume that there are other OBR type rules that include interference on a thrown ball (which require intent) and a runner being allowed to continue to run the bases after being put out, in your rule set. A runner may be guilty of interference on a thrown ball, but that is always a HTBT sitch.

Their rules are modified OBR.

 

1 hour ago, noumpere said:

I would expect (probably incorrectly) a league that has that rule 8 to also have a "force play slide rule" of some sort.  I would say that the rule 8 does not (normally) apply on a double play, but the other rule might.

You are, in fact, incorrect. Which surprises me, too. I know the league president and players are all concerned about safety. And for the most part -- particularly the older age brackets -- they're very good about self-policing. There are those youngins, however, who swear they're getting called up to The Show tomorrow and play with some vim and vigor.

[maven]

5 minutes ago, ElkOil said:

There are those youngins, however, who swear they're getting called up to The Show tomorrow and play with some vim and vigor.

BTDT. Ty Cobb dreams and Shawn Abner talent.

[noumpere]

27 minutes ago, maven said:

BTDT. Ty Cobb dreams and Shawn Abner talent.

"If they were half as good as they think they are, they'd be twice as good as they really are."

[ElkOil]

2 hours ago, noumpere said:

"If they were half as good as they think they are, they'd be twice as good as they really are."

Wisdom.