Three FPSR in one game?

[BLWizzRanger]

So it seems I hit the jackpot where I had 3 possible FPSR rulings in one game.  Of course, this was the first time the coaches had heard of such a rule and it got heated after the third one.

13U tournament game.  I am BU.  PU isn't any help on this situation. (which may be the issue).  The same team was affected by all three rulings so going between OC/DC - they are the same coaches.

Situation 1:  B position.  R1.  Ball dribbled to pitcher who turns and throws to the F6.  F6 catches the ball more then 5-8 feet in front of 2nd.  R1 does not slide.  I did not call FPSR because the F6 wasn't near 2nd.  DC (assistant) comes out afterwards and asks about the slide and I told him that the F6 was not near the base nor made an attempt to touch 2nd.  (not that it matters, but, the DC tried to argue that F6 was that far in front of the base because the R1 wasn't sliding.  I explained I couldn't rule on what F6 was thinking and that I am turning on the throw and I don't/can't see any adjustment made by F6 to avoid the base - all I see is he is that far in front of the base. )  Question 1:  with the ball caught a considerable distance (5-8 feet, not within leg length, in front of the bag)  was this FPSR?  I don't think it is.

Situation 2:  B position. R1.  Ball grounded to 6-4-3 attempt.  R1 doesn't slide.  I ring R1 up and the BR.  This was textbook.  HC comes and asks for an explanation, simmering in attitude, even though his assistant was the coach asking the questions in Situation 1 - so they knew of the slide rule.

Situation 3:  B position. R1.  Ball grounded to a 6-4-3 attempt.  R1 doesn't slide but veers toward CF.  The veer was within 20 feet of the bag.  I did not call FPSR as the runner veered and didn't, in my judgement, affect F4.  I will attest to that as soon as the F6 fielded the ball, I did hear yelling from these coaches that 'he must slide'.  What that did was that I didn't note if the F4 stepped back or came across the bag.  (Thinking that if he stepped back, maybe the veer was into him though there was no contact.  If he came across the bag, the veer was proper.)  The throw was true to first though late.  I question if I did see interference but just didn't call it because of the coaches. I don't know.  Question 2:  Veering off that close to the bag, within 20 feet in this example, and toward the fielder, should/could I called FPSR?

One lesson learned was after I explained that it was FPSR and that it was a safety rule, as I was near B, a parent that this was hearing about this rule for the first time, hollers, 'this isn't MLB'.  Maybe I won't be as vocal and will explain it to the manager if he comes out to inquire.

So what do you have?

 

 

[agdz59]

In our association, PU is normally the one to call FPSR.  Is it the same where you are?

FWIW, I think you got it right.  Veering into the fielder doesn't help.  The rule states the movement must be away from the fielder (College rule is MUCH less ambiguous about these details then NFHS unfortunately)

Just last night I had a coach upset because I as PU was calling FPSR.  Wondered how I could see the running going in standing from where I was.  Just fishing IMO.

[maven]

I think I would have ruled as you did in all 3 situations. Where there's no play or fielder, there's no hindrance. If F1 had just held the ball, would we call R1 out for not sliding?

If R1 is veering into CF, he's going to avoid hindering a fielder near 2B, no matter which way he was going. Even if he's going away from HP, he'll be throwing toward 1B, which won't be moving (I hope).

BTW, the best position to see and rule on FPSR is PU, who has everything in front of him. 

The FED and NCAA FPSR rules are substantially the same, except for their provisions regarding a legal slide.

[noumpere]

No problem on the rules, assuming the rules set used (yo didn't specify) has the FPSR rule in place. -- just sloppy play, especially on Play 1.  We wouldn't call the violation if F6 took the throw on the base and then moved 5-8' away, so why would be call ti if F6 takes the throw that far from the base and doesn't move toward it.  And, what F6 "cuts off" a throw to second (if I am interpreting "5-8' in front of the base" correctly -- I assume this is (approximately) on the line from home to second.