Verbal Interference

[Jerry]

He probably had it in his hand at one time.
Jerry

[3appleshigh]

For reference the Jays claim that A-Rod Yelled "Mine" , which caused the rookie third baseman to step aside thinking he was called off by the shortstop.

I still think this is nothing in OBR, but it would be a judgement call as it did CONFUSE the Defensive player. The sames as F6 telling a just stealing runner a ball was foul when it wasn't.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

In OBR there is no such thing as verbal interference or obstruction (actually points not covered). A runner is simply referred to as "gullible" for not knowing the difference between his opponent and his coach. Carl Childress said that Bruce Froemming would penalize a runner for yelling "drop it" to a fielder under 9.01(c).

Why not simply penalize a runner for committing interference? Period. After all, is it not interference when a runner hinders or impedes a fielder from fielding a batted ball (in the situation at hand)? Plus, if we know that offensive interference can occur without contact, which it oftentimes does, then can't a runner intentionally yelling at a fielder and hindering said fielder from fielding be considered interference per se (forget this term of "verbal interference"--I wouldn't even use that adjective "verbal" in my explanation to the inevitably arguing coach or manager)?

[orioles35]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

If there was a snake under 3b, how would F5 know it?

...that was no snake...

[UMP25]

Hey, hey there! Watch it. This is a family forum.

[greymule]

(forget this term of "verbal interference"--I wouldn't even use that adjective "verbal" in my explanation to the inevitably arguing coach or manager)?

It is true that the strict meaning of verbal is simply "of, in, or by means of words." Therefore, a written letter or a stone-carved saying is a verbal communication, and editors of documents that could have legal consequences are careful to distinguish between verbal and oral. In general usage, though, verbal has come to mean oral, as in, "He gave me verbal assurance."

So if we had to go to court to argue "verbal interference," then "Drop it!" might qualify, but "Blagghhh!" might not, since it's not a word. Of course, we'd have an argument if a passing runner yelled "Irregardless!" and the startled fielder dropped the ball.

But let's not ensconce "oral interference" in the rule book.

If there was a snake under 3b, how would F5 know it?

That's enough out of you!

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by Jerry

"Verbal Obstruction"!!!!Jerry

Huh? we are talking about the offense doing something to the defense.

Originally Posted by Jerry

Has anyone actually asked MLB why A-Rod was called on it?

Huh? He wasn't.

Originally Posted by Jerry

Oh, yeh. 9.01(c) will certainly cover it.

No, but other rules and their interpretations at different levels may cover it.

...

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Has anyone actually asked MLB why A-Rod was called on it? And what the ruling was? Oh, yeh. 9.01(c) will certainly cover it.

Jerry

There was no call. RIF

[SAump]

Many of these "bush league" events are still legal today. I won't discuss rare tactics such as the defensive decoys employed by the Miami H-Canes' to win a CWS. I believe MLB fielder's are also allowed to block the runner's vision of a caught fly ball. A-Rod had an opportunity for 225 million pay "$$-backs" and the defense complains because it worked. My only question after this broo-ha-ha is whether the rules will be changed to prevent the runner from yelling "mine" in the future?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

I believe MLB fielder's are also allowed to block the runner's vision of a caught fly ball.

You might want to change this belief.

[greymule]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/01/sp...tml?ref=sports

Link to an article this morning about the A-Rod incident.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

You might want to change this belief.

Indeed. There will always be little ploys done by players--it's what makes the game more interesting and kinda fun, IMHO--but certain things are still illegal.

[SanDiegoSteve]

A-Rod very bush league.