Here's one to chew on

[Rich]

OBR. 2 outs. Bases empty.

B1 hits a ball out of the park. As he approaches the plate, he notices his teammates ready to celebrate the home run. He misses the plate by at least a foot on the front side and almost two feet on the backside. As the players celebrate, a teammate tells B1 that he missed the plate and puts a hand in his back and pushes him in the direction of the plate.

[johnnyg08]

Count the run. Allow the touch. YMMV

[lawump]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

OBR. 2 outs. Bases empty.

B1 hits a ball out of the park. As he approaches the plate, he notices his teammates ready to celebrate the home run. He misses the plate by at least a foot on the front side and almost two feet on the backside. As the players celebrate, a teammate tells B1 that he missed the plate and puts a hand in his back and pushes him in the direction of the plate.

I don't have a single rule book in front of me here at work...so here goes nothing. Home run is a dead ball four-base award. Ball is dead, so I have nothing on the "assistance" given by the teammate.

Now, all, please tell me if I am wrong.

[bob jenkins]

Based on some recent interp (that, like lawump, I don't have handy), assistance by a teammate is the same as assistance by a coach. Out.

[Rich]

This is the MLB play:

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | Must C Curious: Morgan out at home for contact - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

I don't have a citation from the MLBUM or OBR or anything like that.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

This is the MLB play:

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | Must C Curious: Morgan out at home for contact - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

I don't have a citation from the MLBUM or OBR or anything like that.

Few differences between this and your situation though, Rich: (1) It's a live ball; (2) It's a previous runner, not someone from the dugout, assisting

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Based on some recent interp (that, like lawump, I don't have handy), assistance by a teammate is the same as assistance by a coach. Out.

Unless it is within the base path, then it's nothing? I seem to remember discussion around this where runners can assist runners as long as the preceding doesn't pass?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Unless it is within the base path, then it's nothing? I seem to remember discussion around this where runners can assist runners as long as the preceding doesn't pass?

The teammates weren't runners. The play (in my OP) is a solo home run with teammates gathering around the plate to celebrate.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Unless it is within the base path, then it's nothing? I seem to remember discussion around this where runners can assist runners as long as the preceding doesn't pass?

Of course, but that has nothing to do with the play being discussed.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Of course, but that has nothing to do with the play being discussed.

I think it does only because there is a difference of what the player becomes. As an umpire, certainly I know the difference, but to explain it to a coach who's going to come unglued...

So, that being said...we have what somebody thinks is an official interp...do we have anything in writing to support an out or denying an appeal?

Is this an appeal that must be made by the defense, we allow the former runner to go back and touch home plate, but call him out upon successful appeal or call him out right away because of interference?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Unless it is within the base path, then it's nothing? I seem to remember discussion around this where runners can assist runners as long as the preceding doesn't pass?

We can always count on you to point out rules that are irrelevant to the discussion... glad you haven't lost your edge.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

This is the MLB play:

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | Must C Curious: Morgan out at home for contact - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

I don't have a citation from the MLBUM or OBR or anything like that.

On this play (not your original play):

1. I seem to recall the interp that Bob mentioned: assistance by a teammate is equivalent to assistance by a coach (though the rule prohibits only base coach contact). Runner out, ball is live till the end of playing action.

2. Whaddya know, Angel Hernandez.

3. The Nats didn't need that run anyway.

4. Morgan missed the plate in order to shove F2: karma's a bïtch.

5. I LOVE the commentator's remark as the replay begins: "Now, let's see where the catcher left his mask." Hahahaha! Even McCarver couldn't have come up with that one.

6. And then another gem: "You cannot touch a live baserunner." Dead ones, sure, but not the live ones!

[johnnyg08]

Thanks for sharing Rich. Good one to discuss.

[Rich]

I've been told that the 2008 J/R covers this scenario.

I posted this on a LL Discussion board. Some people are discussing this in a nice way -- there's at least one person who (I'm sure) thinks I'm just an evil person for "taking a HR away from the kid."

Next year I bet our district keeps kids in the dugout after home runs.

[Larry1953]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've been told that the 2008 J/R covers this scenario.

I posted this on a LL Discussion board. Some people are discussing this in a nice way -- there's at least one person who (I'm sure) thinks I'm just an evil person for "taking a HR away from the kid."

Next year I bet our district keeps kids in the dugout after home runs.

I remember a year or two ago an Angel slugger hit a walk-off and broke his ankle during the celebration. It might be best at all levels to have everybody stay off the dirt circle. When did all this start anyway? Did Mantle or Aaron or Mays, etc get swarmed?