[David B]

Originally posted by bob jenkins

That's not (necessarily) a requirement for a FPSR violation.

Take a more common / obvious play. F6 comes across the base, moves a step toward right field and throws to first. R1 tries a "take out" slide toward F6, but misses him.

No one would have a problem calling this a FPSR violation, but there was no "illegally alters the actions of a fielder".

If the runner goes beyond the bag, or executes a roll block, then contact is needed. If the runner slides in a direct line between the bases, then contact is ignored. If the runner doesn't slide or run away, then contact isn't needed.

I agree that sometimes the wording can seem tricky, but in several of the articles I've read on the FPSR, they almost all require that with a legal slide there must be some action by the runner to interfere with the play of F6 or F4 to make it a DP call.

I don't have the article with me, but Carl did a whole section on the FPSR last summer and I recall several of the examples in which the runner slid into the fielder but did not interfere with the play and there was no recommended call.

If the runner chooses not to slide then he is fine as long as he doesn't interfere with the play. If there is no attempt or going to be an attempt at a DP, then there should be no call made. (ie the play where there is a base hit to F9 and he throws to F6 for a force out.)

IMO, if you call that a FPSR you are simply asking for trouble.

But, I could be wrong, I'll check my papers tomorrow when I return to work - been nice to be off for a few days and on vacation.

Thanks
David