boyinblue,
Quote:
|
Are you sure? Because I recall it was the other way around. Do you even work LL games??!!
|
Yes, I am sure.
If Rich, or Garth, or Bob Jenkins (or any of a number of other posters who consistently appear to know what they are talking about) says something that you "...recall it was the other way around...", I would strongly encourage you to trust them over your own recollection. Unless, of course, you like being a Bozo umpire. You know, mildly entertaining on occasion, but not really very good.
I am sure because the LL RIM (2004 edition) says:
Quote:
(k) in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base, the batter runner runs outside (to the right of) the three foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and, in the umpire's judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base or attempting to field a batted ball;
“The Right Call” Casebook -- Comment: It’s always interference if the catcher’s or pitcher’s throw hits the batter-runner when he/she is not in the “lane”. The lines that mark the “lane” are part of the “lane” and the interpretation to be made is that a runner is required to have both feet within the three foot “lane” or on the lines marking the “lane.” If the throw is accurate to the first baseman and in the umpire’s judgment the runner interfered with the first baseman, it is interference.
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
There are two key elements to this rule that frequently are misunderstood: (1) the ball must be thrown in order for the runner to interfere with the “fielder taking the throw” and (2) the throw must be a reasonably catchable throw. A catcher who does not throw or who throws poorly should not be rewarded by having interference called.
The umpire must be convinced that the thrown ball could have been caught had the runner not been in the way.
|
Now, the last time I "did" LL was in 1968 - as a player. Does it strike you as curious that I know this and you, who alledgedly umpire these games, don't?
JM