Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeStrybel
We can encourage our runners to slide when played upon but they don't have to as long as they slide legally or avoid malicious contact.
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There are situations where contact is avoidable but not malicious. There are also situations where contact is unavoidable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeStrybel
Imminent throws don't seem relevant to Fed rules. For high school, the fielder must have the ball before blocking a base, right?
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"Imminent throw" used to be in our vernacular, but no longer. Now our on-field words should include: "secure possession of the ball" and/or "allowed/denied the runner access to the base."
Here's a 2008 NFHS interp:
SITUATION 13: Without the ball in possession, the catcher sets up in the base path, but does allow access to part of home plate. As the ball and the runner converge at home simultaneously, the runner contacts the catcher. RULING: As long as the umpire judges that the catcher provided access to the plate for the runner, this is not obstruction. With the play in motion and the timing such that it is about to occur, a fielder may be in the base path without the ball, provided he allows the runner access to the base or home (2-22-3)