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Well, I guess I'm going to be the anal knucklehead here 'cause if it is a live ball, I'm ruling the runner out for assistance.
If the ball is leaving the field of play, no problem. However, I don't see where there is cause for a congratualory pat on the back as the runner apparently hasn't reach her final destination safely.
Would you ignore the same thing happening at 3B? Probably not and if you are going to make the call at 3B anytime during the game, you need to make it at 1B anytime during the game. It is the coach's responsibility to stay out of the play. There are also two teams out there that expect you to call the rules and, as we always seem to be reminded, "both ways!"
What if the same thing happens two inning later, but this time it looks more like a push? Do you ignore it then? Where does one draw the line over the seriousness of a violation and whether to call it or not? I'm not suggesting an umpire guess at it, but if I see the coach contact the runner and it is plain as day it occured, I would want to make that call and better earlier than later.
JMHO,
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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