BI on base steal Inconsistent??

[mbyron]

The rule is "inconsistent" in order to prevent an easy sacrifice: R3, less than 2 outs, R3 steals, batter knocks over the catcher. If the batter's out in this case, the sacrifice is too easy. So the rule evolved to call R3 out to prevent this nonsense.

As for the difference between 2 outs and less than 2: the more severe penalty in this case is to call the batter out so that he doesn't lead off the next inning (and no runs can score since he made the 3rd out before reaching 1B).

[tibear]

mbyron,

I understand that they want to penalize the offense for the BI when stealing home. But wouldn't it make sense to simply change the rule to say:
Less then 2 outs, the runner is out...with 2 outs the batter is out.

One rule, easy to remember, no confusion (Lord knows coaches are easy to get confused at the best of times).

[mbyron]

It might make sense from the standpoint of simplifying the rule, but that's not the paramount consideration. In fact, the BI rule as written is the simplest rule that takes into account all of these principles (in order of importance):

1. Penalize the player who committed the infraction, unless
2. Doing so confers an unfair advantage, in which case
3. Penalize the appropriate player to neutralize the advantage.

[tibear]

Oh well, its never going to change so we'll just have to keep explaining to the coaches that there is a difference between stealing home and other bases when it comes to out.

Thanks for the info.