Quote:
Originally Posted by Manny A
Yes it does. And more to the fact, 3-5-6 does as well.
Rule 3-5 in general deals with Coaching. So what comes under that section (3-5-1 thru 3-5-7) applies primarily to coaches.
When it comes to foul fly balls, 3-5-6 specifically deals with this, not 3-5-5. And it says the batter is out. Even though it refers to team members and not team personnel, the fact that it's listed under 3-5 implies that the coach is included.
7-4-12 is just a direct quote of 3-5-6 to allow for the rule to include base runners as well as coaches.
Argue semantics if you want. The simple fact is, when a coach interferes with a fielder trying to catch a foul fly ball, the batter is the one ruled out, primarily under both 3-5-6.
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I agree the batter should be out, however, you still have to use the rules AS WRITTEN, and as written, they don't support the batter being out, they support the runner closest to home being out, because of the use of 1 word. Are you going to tell the coach that the Fed rule makers screwed up and did not intend for this to be the result? That would have to be the result because there is no other support given the current written word of the rules.
In this case you better hope the coach isn't one of a couple in my area that know the book basically word for word and will use this type argument as needed.
If this ever actually happens, there is going to be a problem because it most likely will result in a coach being ejected from the game for arguing the call.
The point of this discussion is more that the Fed rule makers need to look at all their rules when they make a change to terminology such as defining team personnel and team members.
Again, under the spirit of the rules, the batter should be out, because the interference allowed them not to be put out, and it should have no bearing on the runner closest to home, because they should not be off the base significantly in the first place.