Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
If at 10U "freezing" can be judged as "attempting to avoid" on a HBP, then so can "bailing" be judged as "forced out of the box by a pitch." We're talking about 4th and 5th graders here. Development and learning the game are primary goals.
At this age, I wouldn't apply 7-3-C for bailing out in fear unless it actually DID delay play (e.g. she bailed out and didn't want to reenter the box) in a timed game that meant something.
At this age, I also wouldn't call strikes unless the pitch was actually a strike.
Now, the original situation said she "bailed" out by 6-7 feet. That may elicit a warning (directed to the coach, since I doubt this batter was of any mind to care if she struck out or not) if it actually delayed play; more likely, it would elicit some attempt to try to calm the player down rather than punish her; perhaps calling time for the coach to have a quiet discussion or something.
10U fastpitch isn't the world series, and a team with a player that fearful of the pitch isn't likely in Championship Play, either.
Of course, this is JMO.
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Tom,
I have no problem with the manner in which you believe you would handle this especially at the 10U level. Of course, I don't believe there should be championship play at this age level, but that is not my call.
My debate is the application of the particular rule as Grey stated. Remember, there is another team out there and if they can control their players why shouldn't their opponent be expected to do the same.
Addressing the coach in this matter is a great idea, but I wouldn't suggest that the umpire ignore the rule due to the age of the players. If it were meant to be that way, an exception would be noted.
BTW, there is no way a kid runs this far out of the BB and does not cause a delay. Since the rule requires them to stay in the box, the clock starts ticking the moment the cather returns the ball to the pitcher.