[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Gre144

NHFS Rules

R2 and R1 are on their respective bases. B1 hits a one hopper to F6, tosses the ball to F4 at second for the first out. From my view point R1 intentionally tries to take out F4 by sliding directly into him as he attempts to make the throw to first. However, technically R1 is sliding in a direct line between the two bases but he could have easily slid away from F4 to prevent a collision.

I call an illegal slide based on the fact that R1 intentionally took out F4 to prevent the double play even though R1 did slide in a direct line between the two bases. Coach comes out screaming. I tell him that he can't take out the runner according to 2-32-2D

1) Did I make the right call? (It appears to me from the rule 2-32-2D that a runner can't take out a fielder even if the runner is sliding in a direct line between the two bases.)

Greg R1's JOB is to slide hard and direct at the bag to break up a DP. Here's the definition of an illegal slide per FED rule 2-32-2

A slide is illegal if:

1. The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop up slide into the fielder, or

2.The runner's raised leg is higer than the fielder's knee when the fielder is in a standing position, or

3. The runner goes beyond the base and then makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder or

4. the runner slashes or kicks the fielder woth either leg, or

5. The runner tries to injure the fielder or

6. The runner on a force play, does not slide on the ground and in a direct line between 2 bases, unless runner is sliding in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder (8-4-2b).

Even in FED r1 can take-out F4/F6 as long as it's legal. As long as runner did not do anything illegal as outlined in 2-32-2, it's ok.

We were not there so maybe we need a clearer definition of what you mean by take -out In other words, did r1 INTEND TO injure the fielder? or was it simply good hard nosed baseball which it sounds like it was.

Remember, even though baseball isn't football, hockey or basketball it isn't CONTACT free either. Many people unfortunately think that when they see contact or a collision then Blue MUST call something.

Pete Booth



[Edited by PeteBooth on Jul 5th, 2002 at 03:09 PM]