Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
The "safety" is big in slowpitch around here.
It's even in the league rules in two of the leagues I work. A runner on third can stand in foul territory with a right handed batter up to avoid a potential line drive down the third base line. When the ball is put in play, the runner must touch third before advancing.
In my observations, I have seen far more runners using "safety" be hit or almost hit by batted foul balls than they would have been if they just stayed on third.
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It's a load of ****. Players get away with it because the umpire cannot watch everything. Then they come to Championship Play and, oops! "what do you mean I'm out?"
It's even difficult for a BU to see it from his/her position. However, put an umpire on 3rd and what else does s/he have to look at other than the runner on 3B? And there it is, "what do you mean I'm out? We do this all the time in league!"
The "but my guy hits the line" is weak. Why? Because it is YOUR guy! Got a fear of getting hit? Tell YOUR guy not to hit it there.
However, with the condition of the game with today's pretenders, I predict a proposal in the next couple of years to place a double-base at 3B expressly for the purpose of protecting the runner on 3B. Which, I might add ill provide a slight advantage to the offense.