FEDlandia FPSR

[jkumpire]

Well,

This has been an interesting discussion! I brought the subject up because I am a local FED rules interpreter, and I still find myself in a quandry about the rule.

Why? Because this discussion has missed one point about the rule. The rule as writen was put in as a safety rule. If it is a safety rule, then we have an obligation to enforce it whether or not there is contact/altering the play.

That is why I have a hard time telling someone not to call the FPSR as written unless there is alteration/contact. What if we let a FPSR call go, then a week later the same kid has a FPSR called on him, after he trashes some kid's knee? I have a former D1 player in my umpire's class this year whose career ended because someone trashed his ACL on a FPSR violation (in an NCAA game).

I would like to see FED do a total rewrite of the rule, and maybe we on the web site can offer language to them to help clarify the problem.

Other comments?

[David B]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

Well,

This has been an interesting discussion! I brought the subject up because I am a local FED rules interpreter, and I still find myself in a quandry about the rule.

Why? Because this discussion has missed one point about the rule. The rule as writen was put in as a safety rule. If it is a safety rule, then we have an obligation to enforce it whether or not there is contact/altering the play.

That is why I have a hard time telling someone not to call the FPSR as written unless there is alteration/contact. What if we let a FPSR call go, then a week later the same kid has a FPSR called on him, after he trashes some kid's knee? I have a former D1 player in my umpire's class this year whose career ended because someone trashed his ACL on a FPSR violation (in an NCAA game).

I would like to see FED do a total rewrite of the rule, and maybe we on the web site can offer language to them to help clarify the problem.

Other comments?

I think it probably is intended as a safety rule, but IMO the problem is OBR.

We watch it on TV and what happens ... the trickle down effect is hard to beat.

FED and NCAA have tried but its tough because some umpires were calling everything a FPSR.

IMO that's why they finally added the parts about making contact or altering the play.

Maybe its just in our area, but we get very few calls during the season on the FPSR - I guess for once the coaches have learned and actually taught their kids to do it right??

Thanks
David

[LMan]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

If it is a safety rule, then we have an obligation to enforce it whether or not there is contact/altering the play.

If there's no contact/alteration (as in R1 going to an uncovered 2B), how was safety compromised?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by DG

I don't see anything in the 2007 NCAA rulebooks that contradicts this quote.

NCAA 8-4b(1) has changed this year. (It was 8-4c(1) last year): Actions by a runenr are illegal and interference shall be called if: (1) The runner slides or runs out of the baseline in the direction of the fielder and alters the play of a fielder (with or without contact).

The bold part was added.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by DG

Who told you? R1 did not slide directly to the bag, or slide away from the fielder.

There's also a rule about a 45 foot running lane to first. If the runner is outside this lane but does not alter the throw or in no way impedes a fielder or the play do you invoke the penalty?
I don't.
What if a runner slides in to 2nd spikes up or does a pop up slide and no one is covering the bag. Do you peg him for unsportsmanlike conduct?

No contact, no altering of play, no harm.....no foul