Quote:
Originally posted by Whowefoolin
OZZY,
What I am saying, is if it is not in the rule book, don't go out looking to create "stuff".
FED rules or not, don't go looking for dirt. I guy steals second base. Second baseman says foul ball, so the runner listens to him and goes back to first, where he is tagged out along the way. Are you going to stop the game and call verbal instruction and award the runner second anyway because he (probably a 17 year old) does not know to only listen to an umpire or base coach?
What will the audience think? Now you are going to have to explain why you are awarding him second base AFTER he was caught of the bag and tagged! Tell me how you get out of this? I will tell you...by not being anal and letting the kids play. There is no rule about that, so why make one up...and then try to enforce it!!!
So be my guess, friend, be anal and call everything you think is UNFAIR, not just the rules. We will be there for about 4 hours trying to finish a game while making everyone HAPPY!!!
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There are Fed rules we may like and those we may not like. In those we don't like we may attempt to let
our judgment sway away from enforcing the rule the way the Fed would like us to. Yet, there are times when we are hit over the head with the rule and can't ignore it. The Fed has verbal obstruction, and I don't see how you could NOT enforce verbal obstruction in the example you provide should this runner be tagged out. IMO, you just got hit over the head.
It might be best to intervene with preventative officiating and advise the runner that the ball
was not a foul, thus causing him to stay at 2B and not allowing verbal obstruction to come into play.
If the defender causes an issue by complaining about your intervention, call the verbal obstruction, and award the runner 3B. Afterall, the runner already had 2B when the defender committed the verbal obstruction, correct? He must be awarded one base beyond his current base, correct? The rules will support your award, and the verbal obstruction will disappear from the game. As long as you've got the issue now raised by the defender, you might as well get it right. A correct call is easier to defend than an incorrect call. Still, I'd recommend trying to avoid the issue by nipping it in the bud. It's likely never to become an issue.
The Fed is anal regarding verbal obstruction as evidenced by the most ridiculous caseplay I've ever seen written. From the Fed 2001 website:
SITUATION 14: With runners on first and second and one out, the batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop. The second baseman calls "I got it" and acts as if it is a pop up. The runners stay at their respective bases and a double play is made, second to first.
RULING: This is verbal obstruction. Runners will be awarded third and second. There are two outs since the out on the batter-runner will stand. (2-22-1; 8-3-2)
Did these idiot runners stay at their bases because F4 yelled "I got it?"
Cannot the runners see when the ball is hit that it's a groundball?
Did they not know they are forced to advance?
They obviously didn't hear an infield fly called!!!!
So...where are the base coaches on this play to protect these idiots?
Still, the Fed protects the runners (and apparently coaches) against their own felony stupidity should it occur---the same way it should be done in your example if you're calling by Fed rules. Don't let it occur.
Just my opinion,
Freix