1st and 3rd

smoump · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 02:44pm

Coach tells R1 to walk out into RF in order to try and get defense to act so he can score R3. Pitcher does not react to R1. Catcher returns ball back to pitcher. R1 is still standing in RF. What do you do? Anything?

Rich Ives · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 02:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoump

Coach tells R1 to walk out into RF in order to try and get defense to act so he can score R3. Pitcher does not react to R1. Catcher returns ball back to pitcher. R1 is still standing in RF. What do you do? Anything?

Legal. Don't do anything.

johnnyg08 · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 02:59pm

this is a classic trick play by the offense...the only thing the defense can really do is to call time...which would require the base runners to return to the base previously occupied. Ultimately, this is simply the R1's lead from 1st. Then the defense decides where to go w/ the play...I've never seen it in real life, just read about it quite a few times.

johnnyg08 · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 03:08pm

dang...i've seen this in print before and now I can't find it...I'll bet somebody on here will have it...or be able to explain it if/when the other coach comes out to argue.

mcrowder · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 03:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

dang...i've seen this in print before and now I can't find it...I'll bet somebody on here will have it...or be able to explain it if/when the other coach comes out to argue.

What are you looking for in print. No one is breaking any rules. PS - your suggestion to call time may not be valid - I would not allow a timeout with runners in play unless and until everything was entirely motionless.

The defense's best "play" here if they don't want to get the easy out in RF is to simply pitch. Very likely double play if the batter puts the ball in play with a runner way out there.

505 ump · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 03:27pm

I believe that his play is called "skunk in the outfield"

johnnyg08 · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 17, 2007, 03:36pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrowder

What are you looking for in print. No one is breaking any rules. PS - your suggestion to call time may not be valid - I would not allow a timeout with runners in play unless and until everything was entirely motionless.

The defense's best "play" here if they don't want to get the easy out in RF is to simply pitch. Very likely double play if the batter puts the ball in play with a runner way out there.

I understand all that you're saying and I also agree with you...my only question is how to explain this to a coach while using MLB rules...after all, we, as umpires, know it's okay...but what in the rules states that it is okay or is not okay. I read rule 7 with regard to the runner and the only thing I could find is as long as a play isn't being made on the runner that he can't violate the baseline rule...is that it? once a play is made on him the runner must head one way or another?

Again, I understand it...but when the politely coach comes out to discuss teh call after asking for, and being granted time...I think we owe him a better explanation than simply saying "that's how it is coach..."

Thank you for your previous post.