Please, make the MLB/NCAA call

[cowbyfan1]

Originally posted by SAump
I have been more than professional. I asked to debate a topic that I was having trouble understanding and I gave my opinion up front. When the moderator asked for the basis of my opinion, I gave it a good shot within the rules of the game. I can agree to accept this mob mentality to apply the 3-foot rule per rulebook designation. However, my intent was to discuss the rule application, to learn when and how to apply the rule in all situations, and when or how not to apply it. This is one of those situations. If you attack the messenger and stifle real discussion, then I guess I fail to do anything.

I believe the 3-foot rule also ties to other rules such as the must-slide or go-around interpretations. You already know that there isn't a must slide rule at first base. No one else applies the 3-foot rule to runners that have established running lanes far from the base line at any other base. Why do I say that? Because its SO common for any runner to tag the plate headfirst with his hand or tag 2B with his foot on a hook slide past a very good tag attempt at every other base. The coach doesn't run out there to dispute those calls.

It was a force situation! The first baseman was NOT waiting on the line with a good tag. With the exception of his outstretched arm, he didn't attempt to tag the runner as he came by. If you consider, the runner was going to be out for simply running inside the foul line, then you can see why the runner corrected his running lane. I guess if he only altered his course by 1 foot, he would have been SAFE (4 feet - 1 foot = 3 foot). I didn't hear the other coach complain about it. How are you going to explain that to him, not me, UMP? You made the call, you explain it, and I will try to back you up if I can. That is what I learned at the clinic. I am willing to bet anyone a copy of the 2006 BRD that the other coach will not agree to your explanation of the call reversal.

SA it is all to obvious that the runner was doing nothing but trying to avoid the tag. He tried avoiding it so much that he ran past 1B and had to come back to the bag a bit. He had an established base path and went a good 4 feet out of that to avoid the tag.

The base path is what the runner establishes, not the lines drawn on the ground. For example, the third base line is drawn but basically never does a runner that rounded 3rd, heading home, run on that line. His momentum swings him out into foul territory. If a defesive player tries to tag him, you are not going to use the actual line drawn to determine if he was out of the base path, it will be how much he runs out of the path he is running in to determine the 3 feet.