[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by IndianaUmpRef

This was a very frustrating call for me....

# 1 team in the state (on offense) vs. a very mediocre team at best (on defense)

R1 on first. Right-handed pitcher throws over to first. R1 slides back into the bag... or tries to. F3 kneels down on his right leg, spreading his entire right shin in front of the entire length of the bag. Runner luckily gets his hand in under the leg, but crushes it in the process (he was alright). I warn player not to interfere. The coach starts mouthing off.

Same batter... 2 pitches later. Pitcher throws to F3. This time, R1 is blocked COMPLETELY from getting back to the bag by F3. I call safe due to interference.

Coach comes out and gives me an earful (he was an *******). I told him the baserunner has the right to the bag and the 1st baseman was completely blocking it off.

He said "a catcher can do it at the plate, why not at 1st?" (among other things). I said "thats at the plate." and went on to explain my side.

Was I right? Give it to me. Has been bugging me to death.

Since you said "#1 Team in state" leads me to believe this was a HS game. In most states HS uses FED rules. Here's a FED case play to illustrate

Fed Case Play 8.3.2G

F3, in taking a throw from F1 on a pickoff attempt, places his foot (or feet) in front of the bag as he is attempting to catch the throw, which prevents R1 from getting back to the base.

RULING: F3 is considered to be in a legal position if there is reasonable chance for him to receive the thrown ball before the runner reaches ther spot. Therefore, R1 is not out.

This is judgement. If F3 is blocking the bag BEFORE F1 even throws the ball to him, then you could call obstruction, but if F3 places his feet in front of bag to receive the ball that's legal.

I believe, NCAA changed their rule on this as a first basemen ( I think it was Stanford) did this all the time which prompted controversy. Perhpas the "College guys" will chime in as I believe this type of play is now illegal in NCAA. NCAA also changed their obstruction rule this year as well.

There's a way around this tactic but it might be painful for F3. A runner even in FED rules is entitled to slide legally into a base. Also, the rule states a slide is illegal if: the runner's raised leg is higher than the fielder's knee when fielder is in a standup position

Notice the term in a stand=up position In the situation being described, F3 is not standing up he is kneeling, so if F3 wants to kneel in front of the bag , then he is fair game for R1 to slide hard (with spikes) right at his knees since they are on the ground preventing r1 from touching base.

IMO, with FED being as safety conscience as they are, should adopt the NCAA ruling:

If this game is played under OBR, there is no real slide requirement other than a runner must be within an arm (hand's) reach. In addition OBR does not define a legal vs. illegal slide. In OBR F3 is Fair game and IMO a coach who is instructing his F3 to defend this way is putting that kid at risk.

If this kid is a good HS athlete his college scholarship could be blown all to pieces on one play becasue some coach wants to win at all costs.

There's a reason you do not see F3 do this in the PROS becasue if F3 did this in a PRO game, he might get away with it once but the next time F3 would be watching from the stands. Coaches are putting F3 at risk by teaching this and IMO the NCAA ruling should be adopted for all amateur levels.

Pete Booth