Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
I was unaware of the rule change in NCAA. In the league I work, we use the rule from 2006 (not my rules), and the league has not seen fit to update to any new version.
Here is how the rule reads in its entirety (local No Collision Rule omitted):
11.16 FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE
Starting in the Spring 2006 SDABL season the NCAA “Force-Play Slide Rule” will go into effect. The purpose of this rule, as with the SDABL No Collision Rule below, is to prevent injury with respect to those plays that may encourage the “taking out” of a
defensive player during a force and/or double-play situation. Basically, this rule dictates that the runner must slide directly into any base for the just mentioned situations. Simply being able to get just a hand on the base while a “body’s length away” for the purpose of breaking up a double-play will no longer be allowed. The rule in its entirety is as follows:
a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
Exception --- A runner need not slide directly into a base as along as the runner slides or runs (while standing) in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play/throw of the fielder.
1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.
NOTE 1: If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:
1) Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
2) Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.
3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
NOTE 2: When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (1) make contact with or (2) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:
1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
4) The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;
NOTE 3: ‘Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
5) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
6) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.
PENALTY for 1 -6 in (c) above:
1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runners are allowed to advance or score. (Ball becomes dead).
2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) allowed to advance or score.
3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the game.
NOTE 4: If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to the bases the occupied at the time of the pitch.
NOTE 5: On a force play, with a two-man umpiring system, if the plate umpire does not have a potential play at the plate, he should move toward the base to observe the runner going into second or third base. In this situation, the base umpire must
follow the throw and may not see the true effect of the lead runner’s actions.
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