Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim C
Look at it this way:
With the intentional drop the fielder can keep the ball in close proximity and make a play. Combine this with the runner(s) holding to see if the ball is caught makes the reward almost a given for at least a force of the lead runner.
By allowing (a non-IFF) ball in flight to simply drop there is a risk/reward as the ball could spin and slip away frfom the fielders reach.
The critical thing that rules makers did in their wisdom, in all rule codes, was to eliminate a judgment call by an umpire on a poorly played ball in flight that falls untouched.
I see no contradiction between the two situations.
One Rule ~ One Interpretation ~ One Mechanic
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Tim and others.
Thanks for the help - makes perfect sense now.
Sometimes it just helps to hear a real situation to go with the rule to clarify. I didn't want to discuss it at the meeting until I was clear on it.
In a way its good because, the smart players can still use the rule to their advantage - a la Ozzie Smith and others have done.
The plays that I had both turned the DP with no complaint from the coaches, but everyone knew they let it fall
on purpose or should i say
with purpose.
Thanks
David