[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

The link in the OP does not open. Would someone please give a written description of the play being discussed? Thank you.

MTD, Sr.

Here it is.

High school baseball umpires can only rely on the honesty and integrity of coaches and players to avoid being tricked by a baserunning gimmick apparently used in a game between Fayetteville Academy and Harrells Christian Academy on March 25.

The play occurred in a suicide squeeze bunt situation and took advantage of the fact that there are only two officials at most high school baseball games, the plate umpire and the base umpire.

According to Chip Bishop, athletic director at Fayetteville Academy, the Eagles had runners on second and third base against Harrells with less than two out. A Fayetteville Academy batter laid down a suicide squeeze bunt to score the runner from third base.

While the plate umpire was occupied with the runner coming home, and the field umpire was watching the throw to try and get the runner at first base, the runner on second base left the bag and missed touching third base, cutting the corner at third by a considerable amount to decrease the distance he had to run from second to home.

Bishop said the Academy conducted an investigation into the play and concluded it was not clear if the play was deliberately called and practiced by the Academy baseball team or if the player running from second had heard about the play before and decided to try it in this situation.

"There were different versions and we just never came to a conclusion on what transpired," Bishop said.

However, Bishop said the Academy administration, coaching staff, players and parents agreed the school would not repeat the play in future games.

"We've made it clear whether it's a called play or someone making the decision on their own, Fayetteville Academy will never do that again,'' he said.

"We know there are a lot of different types of plays in baseball where deception is used and maybe rules are broken, but we feel anytime you decide beforehand you are going to run a play and a rule is going to be broken, that is crossing the line.''

Neil Buie is the booking agent for high school baseball and softball officials in this area, and he booked the officials for the Fayetteville Academy-Harrells game.

Buie first heard about the incident from his officials and then later spoke with Bishop. Buie said there was no question the play is cheating because it's designed to break the rules.

"If a kid on his own had decided to round third base, that's one thing,'' Buie said, "but having a designed play taught that way is not right.''

Buie said it's impossible for a regular two-man umpiring crew to watch third base in the squeeze play situation that took place in the Fayetteville Academy game.

"The only way to make sure you get that call right is to get another official,'' Buie said. "We have to have three officials to get that call correct.''

Buie said a player could cut across the pitcher's mound going to third, but if neither umpire sees him because they are distracted by having to watch other bases, they can only assume the runner tagged the bases in order. "That's why this play was designed,'' he said.