[B]From the FED verbatim
g. he runs outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base; or
1. This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw.[/B]

DG--
well I know that you may not like it, but if that ball was thrown as described, IT IS AN OUT FOR INTERFERENCE. I also think you might be over stepping the possible outcomes a little. Also I am refering to upper big boy ball, where this stratagy is to be instructed, not young kids. In court, you would have an exceedingly difficult time proving liability against anyone, since the player was doing something that was against the rules when he ended up injured, due to a play that was a result of the catcher doing his proper job while the runner did not. I'm also sure it would be very difficult to prove what INTENT there was other than to throw the ball to First for the out, which is what the rule is there for. Run where you are supposed to and nothing should happen. Disobey the rules, and things could happen. An umpire who is afraid to make the right call because the player got hurt, is simply a Wuss.

If the runner is 30 feet from the bag when the thrown ball hit the runner it would be a hard sell to call that a quality throw. You live in a dream world if you think someone committing a crime is not capable of receiving a large judgment in front of a judge or jury. I am simply trying to educate someone who obviously does not understand coaching. You don't coach your players to perform in such a way as to possibly injure others when coaching them the right way is the right thing to do. You don't get it, that is clear.

A straight line from the catcher to the base goes through the runner, 30 feet or 70 feet from the bag. Period. You don't get it that playing hard and to win, sometimes means people might get hurt. If they can step out and throw another way, that is optimal, i will agree, but if not, through the runner is the next option. Not throwing it into the outfield. as you try to go over the runner. For example, Nice bunt Just outside the batters box on 3rd base side, Catcher up and to the ball, Runner well in fair territory and has GOOD wheels, what should the catcher do. He should throw it directly at First base which MOST LIKELY is through the runners back.

also Throwing a ball in order to get an out is not a crime. You would have to PROVE the intent of the catcher to hit the runner, and providing a quality throw to First base that hits a runner would throw a big monkey wrench in the plans. Add to that the runner's actions and sorry, That would be a tough case to win. Just having injuries and a thought that he might have does not a victory make.

Also I would like to note, you think one must throw extra hard in order to hit the runner, a simple throw that the runner is impeding is what is needed, same throw one would make in the instance where the runner is in the running lane.

Now suppose your same senario of the player getting hit with the ball, while running in the lane, Falling and subsequent injuries. DO you still have a lawsuit. There is no reason for intent here, and as much proof that there was intent. Well are you still giving those $$$ to the runner???

Grown-up catchers know how to find a lane to throw - usually by taking a side step. That's why you hardly ever see hit runners or interference calls in grown-up ball. Anyone who throws at the runner is untrained or a jerk. And if it's obvious that he threw at the runner . . .

Thank you. You understand what applesauce doesn't. I'm not discussing it anymore with him, he is clueless.

There is a difference between "sometimes people might get hurt" and you coaching kids to try to injure other kids. A coach in Texas is in jail right now for child abuse for coaching one kid to injure another kid. Yes - his situation was far more egregious than what you proscribe, but your attitude that it's OK to coach your players to intentionally hurt other players is quite simply appalling - you should not be allowed to coach (or even be around) kids. The fact that your child abuse may be difficult to prove in court does not make it less of a crime. I know you will never be ... but you SHOULD be ashamed.

3apple -
Rich knows what comes next when you try that cheap crap in big boy ball.Next time that catcher comes to bat.
Bzzzzzzzzzz. Thunk!
And coach, don't even think about going behind my cather during warm-ups.

No BS, man, baseball has ways to take care of themselves. And in adult ball, if a guy runs obviously out of the lane to gain an advantage, HE WILL GET PLUNKED.

Also, note, I have said they need to be taught that the Loob over into the field (a last resort) is not the last resort that should be taught. They need to be taught first to find a lane, the Firstbaseman need to be taught to help the catcher early with an INSIDE or OUTSIDE call, but the last resort isn't a trick shot, that could end up with the runner at second. The last resort is to make a good solid throw to where you would normally find the firstbaseman, and THAT is through the runners back.

Until it becomes a call for simply causing a bad throw, This is the BEST PLAY for the defense to make, when nothing else is easily available.

I love how DG has resorted to namecalling, the last hope for the uneducated.

There is never a last resort that calls for throwing at the runners back.
If F3 is on the inside and marginally stretched his glove is 4' to the inside. If BR has his right foot on the foul line so his entire body is inside the line he's taking at most 30". F2 still has an 18" window to throw to without aiming at the back. That's before he makes a quick slidestep to the inside and creates a great angle. The reality is if BR is that far inside, F3 would simply step to the outside and now F2 has about a 4' window to throw at without coming close to BR. There are times (few as they are) that BR obstructs, but there is never an appropriate time for F2 to aim at BR back.


OK guys, when the going gets tough, lets hurt em.

If there was never a time that this would happen, There would not be a rule prohibiting the runner from doing what he is doing.

"The last resort is to make a good solid throw to where you would normally find the firstbaseman, and THAT is through the runners back. "

Where is this AIMING AT THE RUNNERS BACK.

Interesting point of view for a player. Reprehensible for an umpire.

One applesauce shouldn't call another rotten unless one knows what one is talking about. But then again if you are apple I am orange because I disagree with you on coaching young players to strike their competitors with a thrown baseball on purpose. It's a good thing you are not a coach because you are dangerous.

JERK.

I'm rubber and you're glue

Since you wish to behave like a 5 yr old, I'll respond as such.