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Old Sun Jun 27, 2004, 01:12pm
Dakota Dakota is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Twin Cities MN
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Quote:
Originally posted by Palmer
While our team was playing defense there was a ball hit to left field (crushed out there I might add). However, as the runner was rounding 3rd on her way home, our teams relay throw by our shortstop hit the opposing teams coach in the back. I am not sure if he was in the coaches box or not. Thus stopping the ball, and allowing the opposing teams runner to score. The umpires claim that since he was in the caching box next to 3rd base he could hold that position, getting hit or not. As long as he didn't make an attempt to actually get in front of the ball.

I was under the impression that the coach must try an get out of the way, and can't impead the progress of the ball no matter where he is. Was this the right call by the umpires....If someone could Please help I would appreciate your thoughts.
Echo Rick. You almost always have to see these kinds of calls, because the written description usually leaves out so much.

One guiding principle with interference is that there must be a play to be interferred with. With a thrown ball, that usually implies a "quality throw" (i.e. one with a reasonable chance of making the play).

In that light, one thought that occurs to me is, if the 3rd base coach was in the coach's box (6' from third base) how in the heck could a quality throw from the outfield to home hit the coach?

Quote:
Originally posted by Palmer
#2) In another game a runner from 3rd base rounding and going for home with a hit to center field, turned 3rd and actually entered the on deck batting circle on her run home. When our catcher her caught the incoming throw turned to tag the runner, she missed the tage as she tryied and apply it. Because at that time the baserunner actually came up almost behind her to touch home plate. Is there a base path the runner has to maintain ? The umpire told me that after the runner rounds 3rd she coud run along the fence (at least 25 feet from the basepath if she wanted as she comes home. Is this a true statement, or was I fed a bunch of crap.......
"a bunch of crap......"??? Sounds like you may be lacking a bit of confidence in your local umpires!

But, in this case, he was right. Unless the runner is trying to avoid a tag, the runner can take any path to the base she wants to.
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