Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
If you think first basemen aren't taught to 1) linger in the "personal space" to discomfort runners, then 2) step up just enough to block the runner's vision of the release, and 3) still be close enough to cause the runner to adjust their initial push; well, then I think your idea of intentional and mine simply differ. This is simply part of the game within the game.
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I fully realize there is a game within the game. Coaches are going to teach players to push the limits of the rules. But if I were to make calls to try and clean up those antics, I feel I'd turn into an OOO.
This situation did not elevate itself to the point where tempers boiled. The base coach gave me a heads-up in the middle of the game that the opposing first baseman would do this, and I watched where the first baseman positioned herself not only when there were runners at first, but when there were no runners as well. I didn't notice any huge discrepancies.
Then, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, and the home team losing by five runs, the base coach requested Time and complained that the first baseman was blocking R1's view of the pitch release. I responded that I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. A couple of more pitches, and the game was over.
To me, this is no different than when a runner going directly from base to base on a grounder times herself so that she hops over the ball as it crosses her path. If her timing is such that she basically stops in front of the fielder, then takes off as the ball reaches her, that's one thing. But if it's a subtle change in her speed going to the base, should I ding her for that? I wouldn't.