I had a coach tell me the other day...

[blueump]

The "umpire" if there actually is one that would ever call this, has misapplied the player interference ruling. I actually think there is probably no such umpire, but this myth has been circulating the coaching ranks for years, and it gives them another reason to trash umpires.

[harmbu]

The out definitely was called. I just want to know how to show an umpire that this is not an out. It is hard to prove a myth to be wrong. I would like a FED reference, but am having trouble finding one.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by harmbu

The out definitely was called. I just want to know how to show an umpire that this is not an out. It is hard to prove a myth to be wrong. I would like a FED reference, but am having trouble finding one.

Look in the "a runner is out" rule -- 8-4-1 for BR and 8-4-2 for other runners. You won't find this rule, so the runner is not out.

[harmbu]

Thanks Bob. I keep looking where you pointed out. I just don't think an umpire who would make this call would believe that it is not true just because it is not there. I would expect to hear, "It's in there somewhere. You have to show me where it specifically says you can touch the runner."

[mcrowder]

I wish that coaches, when confronted with something they know is wrong, would simply protest. When they don't, they are just as much at fault as the umpire who made the wrong rule application in the first place.

[harmbu]

This is what I would do in this situation. The only problem is that in my state a protest must be settled immediately. The protesting coach has ten minutes to use the rule book or case book to show the umpire that he was wrong.

[blueump]

If this is a concern for this specific umpire, just tell your players to keep their hands to themselves until after he touches the plate!

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by harmbu

The out definitely was called. I just want to know how to show an umpire that this is not an out. It is hard to prove a myth to be wrong. I would like a FED reference, but am having trouble finding one.

You're trying to prove a negative. Ask the ump to show you where it says the runner is out.

[BretMan]

The FED rule posted above doesn't fit here, as it is referring to participants leaving the dugout during a live ball- which you don't have following a home run.

Refer to FED Case Book, 3.2.2A.

This case play makes it clear that a base coach touching a runner following a home run is not a violation.