Quote:
Originally posted by CDcoach
Now my understanding of the play is that the baseline is from the player at the time the play is made on him to the base. This is what I eventually explained to him. He now asks me to reference in a rulebook and I told him we had to move on. After the game we talked again and I told him I'd see what I could find. Me and this guy usually get along on and off the field. Could someone please refernce it and maybe a short interpretation if needed.
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The rule is 7.08(a.1) and by a literal reading of that rule the coach was right, BUT we no longer use a literal reading of the rule. Here is an excerpt from the "
Historical Notes" for rule 7.08(a.1) in Jim Evans'
Official Baseball Rules Annotated:
Through the years, the interpretation of what constitutes a direct line has changed. The direct line is not a line connecting the centers of the bases, rather it is a direct line from the runners starting point to his next base.
I would say that what constitutes the runner's "starting point" has also changed. Most officials these days set that starting point at the moment the defense begins to make a "play" on that runner - see NAPBL/PBUC Umpire Manual Section 3.1 for the definition of a "play". In this case the "play" would have begun the moment the pitcher, with possession of the ball, began to run toward the runner for the purpose of tagging him. Wherever the runner was at that moment sets the starting point for his "direct line" to the next base OR his preceding base. Just to make it "official", here is the "
Professional Interpretation" from JEA for that same rule:
The baserunner creates his own base path and this is what shall establish the direct line which he must comply with. The direct line is a line which originates from the runners starting point and progresses directly to the base. Do not consider the line connecting the centers of the bases as the direct line applicable in this rule unless the runner is originating on the base.
The grass, dirt, or painted lines on artificial turf have absolutely nothing to do with the enforcement criteria of this rule.
You can't get it much clearer than that. Just for the record, this is NOT the only rule that has been changed by interpretation over the years. My personal favorite is who can be considered an Infielder for the purpose of the Infield Fly rule. If you enjoy the hunt, try comparing the terms Infield (OBR 1.04), Infielder (OBR 2.00) and Infield Fly (OBR 2.00) to see what I mean. By those rule definitions, only those who are physically inside the baselines at the commencement of a play are Infielders for the purpose of that rule. These days that usually would be just the pitcher and catcher; and then only by special mention. No other fielder would normally qualify.
These days we interpret Infielders to be those players stationed at or near the bases on any play, even if they are physically outside the baselines. The rule specifically precludes using the infield grass as a guide, so what constitutes "
at or near the bases" is entirely down to umpire judgement. I've NEVER been able to uncover any rule citation or interpretation that supports that now universal understanding! It's just History and Tradition.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
[Edited by Warren Willson on Jul 11th, 2003 at 06:28 PM]