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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
Rich,
You are using typical coach logic here. You conveniently left out the sentence preceding your quote. The one that says "It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one foot outside the coach's box or stand astride or otherwise be slightly outside the coaching box lines."
Now, just what part of that sentence gives you the idea that the coach can run out into the middle of the field to tell his players to run?
The penalty for violation of 4.05(b) is ejection, and this coach certainly violated this rule. Therefore, he could have easily been interpeted as interfering in the play, and ejected for such action.
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Which part of the case notes about it being legal (unless challenged) to leave the box is so hard to understand?
Which of the following rules, none of which appear to have been violated, would you use to eject the cioach?
3.15 No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except players and
coaches in uniform, managers, news photographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home club. In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the offensive team participating in the game, or a coach in the coach's box, or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.
NOTE: See Rule 7.11 for individuals excepted above, also see Rule 7.08 (b).
The question of intentional or unintentional interference shall be decided on the basis of the person's action. For example: a bat boy, ball attendant, policeman, etc., who tries to avoid being touched by a thrown or batted ball but still is touched by the ball would be involved in unintentional interference. If, however, he kicks the ball or picks it up or pushes it, that is considered intentional interference, regardless of what his thought may have been. PLAY: Batter hits ball to shortstop, who fields ball but throws wild past first baseman. The offensive coach at first base, to avoid being hit by the ball, falls to the ground and the first baseman on his way to retrieve the wild thrown ball, runs into the coach; the batter runner finally ends up on third base. The question is asked whether the umpire should call interference on the part of the coach. This would be up to the judgment of the umpire and if the umpire felt that the coach did all he could to avoid interfering with the play, no interference need be called. If it appeared to the umpire that the coach was obviously just making it appear he was trying not to interfere, the umpire should rule interference.
4.05
a) The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field during its term at bat, one near first base and one near third base.
b) Base coaches shall be limited to two in number and shall (1) be in team uniform, and (2) remain within the coach's box at all times. PENALTY: The offending base coach shall be removed from the game, and shall leave the playing field.
It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one foot outside the coach's box or stand astride or otherwise be slightly outside the coaching box lines. The coach shall not be considered out of the box unless the opposing manager complains, and then, the umpire shall strictly enforce the rule and require all coaches (on both teams) to remain in the coach's box at all times.
It is also common practice for a coach who has a play at his base to leave the coach's box to signal the player to slide, advance or return to a base. This may be allowed if the coach does not interfere with the play in any manner.
7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when:
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.
j) With a runner on third base, the base coach leaves his box and acts in any manner to draw a throw by a fielder;
7.11 The players, coaches or any member of an offensive team shall vacate any space (including both dugouts) needed by a fielder who is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball.
PENALTY: Interference shall be called and the batter or runner on whom the play is being made shall be declared out.