Quote:
Originally posted by mcrowder
Now, with this kid in the midst of his teammates, I'd surely be keeping a watchful eye on them. If any of them turns him around or nudges him toward home plate (or even halts his progress away from home plate), he's out for interference if it's clear he now intends to run home to avoid the appeal.
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I'm not so sure you can do that. The prohibition is only for coaches at 1st and third.
7.09 e) Any member or members of the offensive team stand or gather around any base to which a runner is advancing, to confuse, hinder or add to the difficulty of the fielders. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate or teammates;
Not a fit.
7.09 i) In the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning to or leaving third base or first base.
Not a fit.
7.10 d) He fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to that base, and home base is tagged.
Not a fit.
If a runner stumbles and falls, a following runner can help him up as long as he doesn't pass, so there are times when teammates can legally physically assist.
People are searching for a reason to either allow the non-tag appeal or to just call him out. Before you search more, ask yourself if you are doing it just because the play as it unfolded didn't seem "right" so you are trying to justify shooting ther runner.