|
First of all, I don't know of any umpire this side of Safeco Field that would call an out if the defense missed the bag by two feet. I could be wrong, but I don't believe anyone ever suggested that in this thread.
Argument by exaggeration doesn't carry much weight.
But let's continue with your situation.
Manager: Blue, he missed the bag.
Ump: I've got an out there, coach.
Manager: But didn't you see him miss the bag?
Ump: It was close coach, but I saw the play, and the runner is out.
Manager: Is this one of those "neighborhood plays?"
Ump: Coach the runner is out on the play and he'll be out on that play when you run it, too.
Manager: But...
Ump: Thats all the questions coach, we're gonna play now, you need to get off the field.
All of this will happen, of course, only if the coach is an absolute idiot or has limited experience, or if the umpire tried to implement this call in a level that neither understands it or needs it.
Brat ball, anything under 13 years old, needs to have a good touch of the bag. Those kids are still being introduced to the fundamentals and the danger of the slide at second is minimal compared to the oldsters.
Freshman ball and above, the neighborhood play is as much a safety issue as anything else.
But, unlike your exaggeration, in calling the neighborhood play experienced umpires will require that the defender be at least on the same block.
Last night during the Mariners game, the neighborhood play or phantom tag was given with F6 about a foot behind the bag and on the move. Personally, I expect the defender to be a bit closer than that, but I don't carry a tape measure. It comes from experience. It's like the old saying goes, "I know it when I see it."
[Edited by GarthB on Aug 2nd, 2002 at 12:29 PM]
|