[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Carl Childress
Quote:
Train wreck, no? Each participant is where he's supposed to be, doing what he's supposed to be doing. F4 has a perfect right to back up a throw ro F3. B1 has a perfect right to over-run the base, for that's central to the philosophy of producing close plays at first.
Somehow, in the last few years, in games played by amateurs everyone has begun to find obstruction and interference everywhere. Contact on the diamond is inevitable. When it is illegal, penalize it. But only when it's illegal.
As Henry Fonda said in Twelve Angry Men, "We're not convinced. We want to hear more."
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Sometimes, Carl, it is more difficult to determine the cause of the trainwreck, particularly when both individuals have the need to occupy the same space. Take the following example that I posted in a different forum:
R1 with groundball to F5. R1 approaching 2nd feels he'll be out on force and doesn't slide, steps on 2nd base, but continues running past the base a couple steps. F4 muffs throw from F5. R1, in his attempt to retreat, loses footing and falls, yet is trying to scramble back to 2nd on his hands and knees. After F4 muffs ball, it drops toward left field side of base halfway between 2nd base and runner. As runner is attempting to scramble, F4 dives for ball allowing his body to rollblock R1 into the ground (shoulder hit plus complete body roll thereafter) resulting in a definite crunch of R1 facedown into the dirt. Although F4 reached for the ball, it was apparent his primary concern was to keep the runner off the base through use of his own body. After his body roll, F4 puts tag on R1.
Both players had to occupy same space. Is this considered incidental contact with F4 being allowed to field ball?? Is F4 legally allowed to bodyslam the runner in his attempt to get the ball? Who's to say that if F4 doesn't use his body in his effort to get the ball, that R1 wouldn't be using his body to knock F4 away from the ball as R1 scrambles back to the base?
Is this obstruction???? If so, R1 awarded what base???
This play occurred to my BU partner last Friday.
Freix