FEDlandia FPSR

[DG]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

DG,

Please expound.

I'm new to umpiring and I'll be doing my 1st "real" NFHS games this year (probably just Frosh & JV).

The last five years I've coached summer youth (13-14 yr. olds) travel leagues, some of which alledgedly played under FED rules. In five years, I've seen an FPSR called exactly once and have had one coaching colleague ask me about an FPSR call that occurred in one of his games. First time he's ever seen it called, & he's been doing it longer than I have.

SO, I went & read the FED rule & the case plays, and I'm not sure how I would call this in a game.

I would be inclined to select jkumpire's "B", though I would add "...and executed a legal slide." to the end of the first sentence of "B". In combination with the rule 2 definition of a legal slide, I think that is what the text of the FPSR rule says. It also strikes me as the "right" call from an intent perspective - not to mention it "feels" right, to me.

So, if you think he should be out, please explain. I find the rule ambiguously worded and don't have exceptional confidence in my interpretation. So, if you've got a different train of thought, let's hear it.

JM

As the post's that follow confirm it is a confusing subject with many interpretations.

From the 2007 FED Casebook 2.32.2 Situation B: "R1 is on third base and R2 is on first base with no outs. A ground bal is hit to F6, who throws to F4 at second base. R2 slides out of the base path in an attempt to prevent F4 from turning the double play. RULING: Since R2 did not slide directly into second base, R2 is declared out, as well as the batter-runner. R1 returns to third base, the base occupied at the time of the pitch. "

This ruling did not say anything about whether the runner actually altered the play or not.

On 3/20/00 McNeely said this: "The best answer I can provide is if a baserunner commits an illegal slide, and during that illegal slide makes contact with a fielder or alters the immediate play, call the interfererence. If the illegal slide did not alter the play or no contact was made, there is no call."

On 4/20/01 Fethchiet (NCAA) said this: "The runner is guilty of interference when he slides to the side of the base occupied by the pivot man, even if he does not make contact or alter the play."

The last two quotes are out of the 2006 BRD.

I don't see anything in the 2007 NCAA rulebooks that contradicts this quote. In fact it says "whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule." Actions that are illegal include "the runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder"

So pick the casebook or someone's quote you like and make the call. I prefer the most recent casebook, especially if it has an exact example. The intent of the FPSR is to protect players from injury so punish the ones who are making an illegal effort to go after another player whether they make contact or not. Allowing an offense to go unpunished will promote such behavior not stop it, so not calling it is contrary to the intent.