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Old Sat Jul 06, 2002, 01:25am
chiefblue86 chiefblue86 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 12
I'd like to stick my two cents in here to both Mick and Freix.

First, MICK, you're right, being that it's Little League adds problems when it comes to things like balks and illegal pitches. (I don't believe, however, that Little League does in fact not allow a balk to be called. It's true the only balk that you would see called in Little League would be when the pitcher drops the ball while standing on the rubber. Of course, your league may have some special local rules that eliminate balk calls altogether). And while I don't pretend to remember many of the specific rules of Little League, I'm still certain that the OBR applies to your situation in this sense: since there was an illegal pitch, and since ALL RUNNERS INCLUDING THE BATTER RUNNER advanced one base safely, the play stands without regard to the illegal pitch. Period. (Read OBR 8.05(e), then PEANLTY following (m)). And Freix is correct---you do NOT allow the offensive manage to "decline the penalty" or accept any other option in this situation. Ever.

Now, on the other hand, if in your case the batter had hit a fly ball that was caught, or if R2 had NOT reached 3rd base as a result of the "Texas Leaguer" then you would have called time and enforced the "Illegal Pitch" scenario---which means you would enforce the balk rule in accordance with 8.05(e). That is, when there is an illegal pitch with runners on base, the runners would be allowed to advance one base and the actual pitch to the batter would be considered as a "no pitch"---that is, neither a ball nor a strike, and the batter would come back to the plate. (You must realize that even though Little League doesn't "do" balks, that doesn't mean that the consequences of the balk rule---advancing a runner because of an illegal pitch--- doesn't apply. It does, and it should. Otherwise, what would be the incentive for a pitcher to NOT deliver illegal pitches, even in Little League?

Now, FREIX. You are (half) correct in your statement about the Offensive Coach having a choice when it comes to delivering a "doctored" ball.

The reason I say "half" is this:

First (half), the other situation that allows the Offensive Coach to "decline the penalty" (as it were) or accept the play as it stands is when a ball is put into play even though there was a CATCHER'S INTERFERENCE (bat smacking the glove on the swing).

Second (half): The ONLY TIME the Offensive Coach is allowed a choice (in both cases above) is if NOT ALL RUNNERS INCLUDING THE BATTER RUNNER have advanced at least one base safely. If all runners---including the batter-runner---have safely advanced at least one base, then the cather's interference or "doctored ball" is ignored as if neither happened. (Except for the warning about the "doctored ball," of course---grin). See Rule 8.02(c).

Example 1 (manager has a choice because of a catcher's interference): R2, 1 out, tie game. The batter hits the catcher's glove while swinging at the pitch, but he manages to hit a deep fly ball to centerfield. The centerfielder catches it, and R2 tags up and starts running to 3rd. The centerfielder fires the ball in, but it's a wild throw, which further allows R2 to score. Umpire calls for a time out. Since not all runners (including the batter) did NOT safely advance at least one base, the umpire asks the Offensive Manager if he wants to accept the play as is, or if he wants the catcher's interference enforced. The manager, of course, decides to accept the play as is, since he just got the go ahead run. So, R2 scores, the batter is out, and there is now 2 outs. That is, play stands. (If R2 had not scored, the manager may have decided to accept the catcher's interference. Call? R2 is returned to 2nd base and the batter is awarded 1st. Still one out).

Example 2 (no choice even though there was a catcher's interference): Same situation---R2, 1 out, tie game. The bat hits the catcher's glove on the swing, but the batter manages to hit a gapper in right-center. R2 takes off, hits 3rd, and starts heading for home. The right fielder throws to the cut-off, who fires the ball home and the catcher makes the tag on R2 for out number two (2). The catcher sees the batter-runner trying for 2nd base, so he throws down. The 2nd baseman tags out the sliding batter-runner for the 3rd out. Here comes the Offensive Manager, screaming and hollering "No way!" since there was a catcher's interference. Umpire's response? "Sorry, coach, play stands since ALL RUNNERS INCLUDING THE BATTER-RUNNER had safely advanced at least one base. Beyond that, they're on their own." End of conversation.

For example 2, refer to Rule 6.08(c). Here's an excerpt: ". . . However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference." (It also disallows the Offensive Manager to have a choice in the matter).
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