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Rule 8.7 Adds verbiage to define it as an out when “a fielder contacts the base while in control of the ball with any part of the body or extension thereof, any clothing or equipment in contact with the body or tags the runner before the runner reaches the base.”
Reasoning: “Several umpires that had attended a national umpire school suggested this to clarify “force out” in regards to what constitutes “contact with the base.”
My opinion: Someone was Clintonesque and looking for boogers. Not only is this completely unnecessary, it is worded so poorly, it is bound to draw a few arguments. And if this is the case for a force out, does it equally apply on a live ball appeal when touching the base to which a runner is attempting to return and retouch or will the argument be that it doesn't since it is not addressed as specifically as this is?
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If we have to add this unnecessarily, how about in a separate definition (rule 1) of "contact with a base", to cover the other cases.
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Officiating takes more than OJT.
It's not our jobs to invent rulings to fit our personal idea of what should and should not be.
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