It has been brought to my attention that none of us has actually answered the Dr.'s question in terms of the relevant rules. So, I'll give it a try.
In case it wasn't clear from my earlier comments, it is my opinion that this guy has no business umpiring given the current state of his understanding of the rules and the spirit of their application to the game of baseball.
However, upon further reflection, I would like to withdraw my suggested "sentence" because it really wouldn't be fair to the poor T-Baller's - heck, they're just little kids and they certainly didn't do anything to deserve having their games ruined by this guy's presence.
OK, now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me see if I can answer your legitimate question (if I am understanding it correctly) regarding the relevant rules that apply.
Now, you didn't say this in your post, but some "inexperienced" umpires will suggest that while a "high five" after a home run is OK, if the "high five" occurs while the runner is "in jeopardy" and the ball is "live", the runner is properly called out.
1. Based on your description of the play, the ball is, in fact, "live" and "in play" - nothing has happened that would make the ball "dead" by rule, and the umpire has not called "Time". This is irrelevant in terms of the umpire's incorrect call.
2. LL Rule 7.09(i) appears to be the rule that the umpire has misapplied in this situation. Although the text of the rule explicitly mentions "base coaches" being prohibited from "physically assisting" a runner, the same principle applies to an "other teammate", which would apply to the on-deck batter. (Curiously enough, it does not apply to "other teammates" who happen to be legal runners at the time of the "physical assistance". That is, it is LEGAL for one runner to "physically assist" another in running the bases - so long as the "following" runner does not "pass" the "preceding" runner.)
However, giving a "high-five" is NOT deemed "physical assistance" in the context of the rule. I know this because it is explicitly stated in the LL Rule Instruction Manual in the "Instructor Comment" following Rule 7.09(i):
"INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
Þ Giving a high five or patting the player on the back after a home run IS NOT PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE. Do not call the player out for receiving a high five or a congratulatory pat on the back in situations such as this."
Now the rule says "after a home run", but the principle is the same in your situation. That is, a "high five" is not "physical assistance" regardless of whether or not the ball was in play at the time.
However, had the defense been attempting to play on the runner about to score at the time of the "high five" (by your description, the defense wasn't even "thinking about" making such a play in your situation) there is at least the possibility of a legitimate "out" call on the runner under 7.09(e) or 7.09(j) - not likely, but certainly possible. That is why my players are instructed to "save" their "congratulatory gestures" until after their teammate has actually touched home plate and has proceeded at least 15 feet away from home in his return to the dugout - and that's only on a home run, when the ball is "dead". Otherwise, the on-deck batter stays in the on-deck circle, the coaches in the coaches boxes, and everybody else in the dugout.
Also, you never know when you're going to have a guy like this umpiring your game, so it's best just to preclude the whole situation. Unless, of course, you enjoy protests.
With this guy, it might be fun. But, it's also kind of a "dicey proposition" because you have no idea what the umpire is going to put in his writeup. In fact, his writeup may bear only a "passing resemblance" to the situation you and everybody else at the ballpark actually saw happen. That's the chance you take.
In your situation, once it was clear that the umpire found him "unpersuasive" in his gentlemanly request that the umpire correct his erroneous call, your team's manager should have thanked the umpire for entertaining his appeal, informed the umpire that he was protesting the game because of his belief that the rule was misapplied, and promptly returned to the dugout. I'm guessing that didn't happen. If the manager does not do so prior to the next pitch or play, he has lost the opportunity and the call stands, regardless of whether or not it was correct. (On a "game-ending" play, OBR allows a protest within 24 hrs. of the end of the game - LL may differ on this, I'm not sure).
So, I hope I've "covered all the bases" in regards to your question.
Now, I've got a couple of questions for you.
1. How far did you get in reading my "rule cite" before you realized I had simply made it up?
2. If this was the second worst call you've ever seen, I'm dying of curiousity regarding the call that "topped" this one.
JM
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