Fake Tag

[Benchcoach]

2 incidents from tonight's game. I will post each separately. I didn't have a dog in the fight.

#1. R1 at 2b takes lead. Pitcher wields toward second raises arm but does not throw ball. R1 retreats back to 2b enters standing up. F4 tags R1 without ball. FU rules obstruction and awards R1 3b. Any thoughts?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Benchcoach

2 incidents from tonight's game. I will post each separately. I didn't have a dog in the fight.

#1. R1 at 2b takes lead. Pitcher wields toward second raises arm but does not throw ball. R1 retreats back to 2b enters standing up. F4 tags R1 without ball. FU rules obstruction and awards R1 3b. Any thoughts?

Was the runner impeded? If he was standing on the base at the time it's nothing.

[Benchcoach]

Runner just standing on the bag, not impeded. I understand and agree with what you are saying about a need to see the runner being impeded or hindered. The only explanation I can offer is perhaps a too literal reading of ...
Section 22 of Terms and Definitions. Art 2. "A fake tag is an act by a defensive player without the ball that simulates a tag. A fake tag is considered obstruction."

[scrounge]

The fake tag rule is a safety rule to prevent fielders from inducing a slide when it's clearly not necessary. Completing a tag on a runner who's on base, whether in a perfunctory or actual sense, isn't that. Sometimes it's just following thru on the natural motion and no one thinks it's a real tag. Or it could be a real attempt to make sure the runner didn't pop off the base or something. Either way, that's not what this rule is talking about.

[bob jenkins]

Many times newer umpires apply rules too literally. On, not enough. Finding the balance is the art of umpiring and that generally comes only with experience.

(Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.)