Neighborhood Play

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by CO ump

As someone already said, the FPSR rules have negated the need. Now the only reason to allow it is because an old dog may not be able to learn a new trick.

I have to disagree that the FPSR has totally negated the need for allowing the neighborhood play, CO. Forcing a runner to slide in a direct line into the bag may have diminished the frequency of injuries incurred on the turn, but it certainly didn't eliminate them. Similar to a phantom tag when a runner slides feet first directly into a base, I allow the fielder to clear his glove hand from possibly being spiked without actually looking for contact. So, on a double play ball I'm not looking to see perfect contact with the bag before the turn, provided the fielder doesn't do something unusual on the play.


Tim.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I have to disagree that the FPSR has totally negated the need for allowing the neighborhood play, CO. Forcing a runner to slide in a direct line into the bag may have diminished the frequency of injuries incurred on the turn, but it certainly didn't eliminate them. Similar to a phantom tag when a runner slides feet first directly into a base, I allow the fielder to clear his glove hand from possibly being spiked without actually looking for contact. So, on a double play ball I'm not looking to see perfect contact with the bag before the turn, provided the fielder doesn't do something unusual on the play.


Tim.

If FPSR had been a part of the rules on day 1 do you think the neighborhood out would have evolved?
If steel spikes had never been allowed do you think the phantom tag would ever have been accepted?
If OBR outlawed steel spikes tomorrow I'd have a real hard time justifying a phantom tag. Doesn't mean a fielder couldn't get hurt by plastic cleats, but the liklihood would be so diminished that a strict observation of the tag rule would be in order. IMO

The FPSR took away the offenses ability to "break up" the double play so in order to keep the playing field even the defense should now be expected to actually make the out. IMHO

[Matt]

This may be devil's advocate, this may not be--I haven't decided.

In youth baseball (at levels where metal cleats are allowed,) the acceptance of neighborhood plays is more important than in the higher levels.

1. The runners are less baseball-savvy and will run/slide more aggressively than the situation warrants.

2. Runners are not as familiar with methods of giving up the first out without sliding.

3. FPSR causes runners to slide by default, even when there is no doubt to the outcome of the play and there are other methods of avoiding the fielder.

4. Fielders are not as highly skilled at avoiding a runner's feet.

[JRutledge]

Funny, I see players at all kinds of levels step on the base and get out of the way. I really do not see why this is a problem.

I also call this similar to what Bob says, unless it is obvious they do not touch the base, I am not nit-picking this situation. Unless there is a reason for me to really look hard and long at the feet, then the fielder touched the base. I also do not give a lot of leeway to the runner that is sliding into the base. If they cannot slide properly, then they need to get an out on a FPSR situation.

Peace

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Matt

3. FPSR causes runners to slide by default, even when there is no doubt to the outcome of the play and there are other methods of avoiding the fielder.

I don't call games based on misunderstandings of the rules.

My impression is that the "neighborhood" has gotten a lot smaller in the pros. I'm with Rich on this one: the fielder needs to touch the bag. Hey, even the rule says so.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Okay, since reading is fun and fundamental, let's review here:

The OP said the league used "American League" sliding rules.

Later, jicecone mentioned American Legion baseball for the first time in the thread.

Umpduck asked, "what are American League sliding rules?"

Socalblue gave the link for American Legion rules.

The discussion shifted to the FPSR and the qualifications for umpiring American Legion baseball.

We still did not address the original question asked of the OP's author, which is "what are the American League slide rules?"

I can't find anywhere that it says anything about this league being American Legion.