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Originally Posted by chapmaja
Here are three plays from today's JV game, NFHS rules.
Play 1: Pitch gets by the catcher and the runner on 3rd comes home. The runner does not slide, but just continues to run towards home. The throw from the catcher to the pitcher covering home hits the runner before she touches the plate? She did not do anything to intentionally contact the throw such as reach up and swat at the ball or jump in front of the throw. What's the call?
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Does the title of the rule book have a "D" in it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chapmaja
Play 2: 1 out R1 on first, B2 batting. Strike three is dropped and gets behind the catcher. R1 takes off for second base. The catcher picks up the ball and throws back to the pitcher in the circle. The plate umpire clearly and loudly called strike three, batters out. R1 for some reason stops short of second base, pauses, then realizes she needs to continue. This pause happens after the ball is in the circle in possession of the pitcher. What's the call?
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Nothing. The runner is allowed one stop, but then must proceed / retreat immediately.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chapmaja
Play 3: Runner at third, 2 outs. The runner jumps up and switches feet touching the base in such a manner that momentarily there is no contact with the base by either foot. (Pitcher has the ball in the circle) She has never moved forward towards home plate. Player 40 is the batter in the box when this happens (this is important in play 5). What's the call?
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Your phraseology here is interesting... "jumps up"... this sound like something more than just switching feet. Was it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chapmaja
Play 4: Similar to play 3, this time runner is on first base. The runner jumps up as the pitcher is on the pitchers plate, but moves 3 feet off first base towards second base in the process of switching the "lead" foot.
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Same question as above, but since she clearly did leave the base, she's out (regardless of how you come down on the "fails to keep contact" v "leaves the base" wording of the two rules).
Quote:
Originally Posted by chapmaja
Play 5: From play 3, #40 was at bat when the inning ended at 3rd base. Batter #18 comes up to bat and the count is 1-1 when the offensive coach calls for time and says she is switching batters to #40 who should be the batter because she was up when the call was made (play #3). What should happen?
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You got it. #40 continues the at bat & assumes the count.
The wording difference between Fed rules 8-6-18 and 8-7-3 is puzzling. You would think the infraction would be the same and hence would be described the same. But, since it is different, youngump's method of distinction is not unreasonable (although I'm not sure if I can endorse it exactly).
8-7 is describing the situation where the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle. 8-6-18's only clear indication of when it applies is before the pitch is released. How much before? Again, I can see how youngump comes to the conclusion that 8-6-18 is only in force once the pitcher has begun her pitching motion. Before the pitch? Runners? Don't leave while the pitcher has possession. After the pitch has started? Runners? Keep contact until the ball is released.
Rather than fret over this, a much simpler approach is to simply not use these rules as a "gotcha" rule. Which brings me back to my question after Play 3. If the runner is playing games and "jumping up" to supposedly switch feet, then, OK, runner, I'll play... OUT.