Rules We Don't Like

[etn_ump]

I will probably get trashed here for mentioning this, but, the Fed rule I dislike the most is the FPSR and contact rules, particlularly players not being able to break up a double play or roll the catcher.

I was a HS and later a D1 catcher (in the '70's) and I really don't understand the rules regarding contact. Catchers and middle infielders both learn how to protect themselves, it's part of baseball.

Don't roast me too hard on this one, you asked which rules I didn't like!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

I will probably get trashed here for mentioning this, but, the Fed rule I dislike the most is the FPSR and contact rules, particlularly players not being able to break up a double play or roll the catcher.

Ditto.....

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Ditto.....

I don't understand why either of you would preferr to see a runner allowed to crash the catcher or make contact on the pivot man at second in a high school game. These are young men playing and should be afforded the protection that the FPSR rule provides.


Tim.

[DG]

I don't understand why any rule set would allow a runner to maliciously contact a catcher.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by DG

I don't understand why any rule set would allow a runner to maliciously contact a catcher.

I suppose I can see it still being allowed at the professional level as a matter of tradition. But for any level lower than that, especially with teenagers still in school, no way.


Tim.

[DG]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I suppose I can see it still being allowed at the professional level as a matter of tradition. But for any level lower than that, especially with teenagers still in school, no way.


Tim.

The NCAA seems reasonable, agressive contact to reach the base is allowed, malicious contact with malicous purpose is not. With the salaries paid today I don't understand why ML owners are not oppossed to MC on their expensive catchers.

[etn_ump]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I don't understand why either of you would preferr to see a runner allowed to crash the catcher or make contact on the pivot man at second in a high school game. These are young men playing and should be afforded the protection that the FPSR rule provides.


Tim.

Because it's baseball, not golf. And I never said anything about malicious contact, malicious contact has no place anywhere in baseball. I like the college rules for contact much better.

Remember, the title of this topic, Rules you don't like.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Because it's baseball, not golf. And I never said anything about malicious contact, malicious contact has no place anywhere in baseball. I like the college rules for contact much better.

Remember, the title of this topic, Rules you don't like.

Would you have the FPSR ammended to model NCAA, which appears even more stringent?


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Would you have the FPSR amended to model NCAA, which appears even more stringent?


Tim.

etn_ump stole my thunder. The name of this category is "Rules We Don't Like," not "Let's Argue About Your Choices Of Rules You Don't Like."

Let us just list the rules we don't like, and not give us a ration of crap about it. We did not ask to debate the subject, just to give our opinions.

And I don't think tradition itself is the reason the MLB allows crashing the catcher. So did a lot of leagues that I played catcher in, and I welcomed the baserunner to try to knock the ball out of my hands. It's part of BASEBALL. There were no "slide or avoid" or "no canning the catcher" rules when I was playing ball (which I did until I was 30), and I don't remember any serious injuries directly attributed to collisions. Like etn_ump said, the keystoners and catchers knew how to play the game.

We played football in the street, got all skinned up, and slammed into cars all the time. It was just a tougher world back then I guess, without all the lawsuit-crazy parents we have today.

You can still have rules against Malicious Contact, without having a rule such as the FPSR. Long before this rule came about, there were FED rules in place that protected against Malicious Contact, and everything worked out just fine.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

etn_ump stole my thunder. The name of this category is "Rules We Don't Like," not "Let's Argue About Your Choices Of Rules You Don't Like."

Let us just list the rules we don't like, and not give us a ration of crap about it. We did not ask to debate the subject, just to give our opinions.

And I don't think tradition itself is the reason the MLB allows crashing the catcher. So did a lot of leagues that I played catcher in, and I welcomed the baserunner to try to knock the ball out of my hands. It's part of BASEBALL. There were no "slide or avoid" or "no canning the catcher" rules when I was playing ball (which I did until I was 30), and I don't remember any serious injuries directly attributed to collisions. Like etn_ump said, the keystoners and catchers knew how to play the game.

We played football in the street, got all skinned up, and slammed into cars all the time. It was just a tougher world back then I guess, without all the lawsuit-crazy parents we have today.

You can still have rules against Malicious Contact, without having a rule such as the FPSR. Long before this rule came about, there were FED rules in place that protected against Malicious Contact, and everything worked out just fine.

Steve:


I wasn't giving you any crap about your opinions. This board would be pretty bland if we didn't discuss our positions on situations where we may or may not agree with each other. Perhaps it's because right now I have two sons playing under NFHS rules, one in the ICCL and one in high school that causes me to support limited contact rules such as the FPSR. Neither of my sons are wimps, but I don't want to have to see one of them have their knee taken out on a hard slide. I can't afford to be macho when it comes to my childrens safety.


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

BTW-I thought you were "Scooper" Steve at first base?

Indeed I was during my early youth, all the way through Thoroughbred (what is the equivalent of today's Palomino 17-18). After my stint in the Army, I played in adult leagues, including baseball, fast-pitch softball, and 3-pitch leagues, as well as good ol' fashioned pick-up "beer ball" games on Saturdays and Sundays year round. In these leagues, I loved to play catcher, and my teammates loved having me there because I loved to block the plate.

The only thing that stopped me from my insatiable appetite to play ball was my finding umpiring (as well as reffing bball and football), and involving myself in that 6 to 7 days a week instead. I lost the desire to continue to be a "rat" once I discovered the joy of arbitration.

And yes, I could pick it at 1st base with the best of them.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Jim Mills

Right you are. The National Club Baseball Association, which consists of university-sponsored extramural club teams playing under NCAA eligibility rules and modified NCAA playing rules, has a malicious contact rule that is defined (contact with the head or neck is malicious by rule; no umpire judgment beyond whether such contact occurred is required), and they have no FPSR. Au contraire, they specifically allow for aggressive contact to break up a potential double play, or a tag play at the plate. They also do not prohibit tobacco.

Among the several which I am paid to work, it is by far the most pleasurable rules set to administer.

Sounds like my kind of league!

[DG]

Originally Posted by Jim Mills

Right you are. The National Club Baseball Association, which consists of university-sponsored extramural club teams playing under NCAA eligibility rules and modified NCAA playing rules, has a malicious contact rule that is defined (contact with the head or neck is malicious by rule; no umpire judgment beyond whether such contact occurred is required), and they have no FPSR. Au contraire, they specifically allow for aggressive contact to break up a potential double play, or a tag play at the plate. They also do not prohibit tobacco.

Among the several which I am paid to work, it is by far the most pleasurable rules set to administer.

The universtity may provides some sponsorship, but the the players pay to play and the teams around here have to pay for community owned field use instead of playing on the university field, even on weekends when it is not in use.

[DG]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Because it's baseball, not golf. And I never said anything about malicious contact, malicious contact has no place anywhere in baseball. I like the college rules for contact much better.

Remember, the title of this topic, Rules you don't like.

You said "players not being able to break up a double play or roll the catcher". What did you mean by "roll the catcher"? I took that to mean maliciously, since you are allowed a hard legal slide into the catcher.

There are more violent sports than MLB. NFL and NHL come to mind, but there are malicious actions that will get you ejected, fined and suspended and many more unsportsmanlike stuff that will get penalties. Why MLB still allows one of the team's most important investments to get crashed malicously is beyond me.

[D-Man]

I think they should be able to bring weapons on the field.

Back in the day they could police themselves. You crash my catcher, I'll put one in your ear. Tony C. was a pussy.

I hate the tobacco rule. What's better than swallowing a nice plug o' Red Man while taking one for the team...

While you're at it, make 'em all wear wool in the summer. Didn't have the new fangled Under Armour in my day.

Yeah, those were better times!