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Originally posted by Carl Childress
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Originally posted by Ump20
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I'm just wondering what you mean by ...out of the box by much more than is normally tolerated. Since we don't call the coach out of the box except by "request" of the opposing coach [exception the coach is much too close to the batter putting himself in what I determine to be harm's way] are we not saying that the coach is not where "you would typically expect him" rather than the distance away from the so called coach's box?
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Jim:
What the rule book talks about is a coach who stands with one foot in and one foot out of the box. That's tradition. That is what the case book comment covers: Coaches can stand like that until one side complains, then the umpire will enforce it for both sides. (PBUC 1.14)
Coaches also traditionally are allowed to leave the box to signal a runner to stop or slide. But that "trip" cannot look like a runner heading home. For example, any coach who runs from his box toward the plate with his back to the outfield would create an interference call for violation of 7.09(j).
That's the time Warren is speaking of, when we would "typically expect him" to be out of the box BUT NOT IN THE RUNNER'S PATH.
People keep saying this is an unusual play. There have been many instances of coach/runner collisions in the major leagues -- some resulting in interference calls, some being classified as collisions.
I cannot understand why umpires think calling the coach out for standing in the base path would create a "firestorm" of protest. Where I umpired baseball, ignoring that would be cause for a police escort. I guess we just take our baseball more serious down South.
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Carl,
I don't think the seriousness of the game is dependent upon what part of the nation you're from! Matter of fact isn't Texas the team that just agreed to pay a shortstop $250 million? That is pretty serious.
All kidding aside I think the coach interfering with a runner in this manner is not too common. I agree that doesnt mean you don't call what you see. After all, the way the play was described we had a dead duck at the plate absent the coach's actions. I also don't think the possibility of a brouhaha isn't the reason to shy away from your responsibilities.
By the way we're pretty serious about our ball up North. We just don't have as many days to get the games in.