Did I see that Right?

hawkdriver · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 10:52am

What's the ruling here - after a base hit with runner on first - we now have runners on first and second. Coach calls timeout and has runners switch bases putting the faster runner on second and the slower runner on first (he was the runner on second). Is this legal?

mbyron · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 10:55am

The ruling is: cheating.

Eject the coach and put the runners back. If they're older than HS age, eject the players too and put subs on the bases.

Ump Rube · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 11:10am

Call R1 out for passing preceding runner, let R2 go back to 1B, toss the coach during the sh!tstorm that ensues.

Klokard · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:01pm

How about doing this. "Coach, I know you're joking because that is an illegal switch." Put runners back where they belong and play on. Why not at least attempt to handle it in a non-confrontational manner?

jdmara · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klokard

How about doing this. "Coach, I know you're joking because that is an illegal switch." Put runners back where they belong and play on. Why not at least attempt to handle it in a non-confrontational manner?

Why would you not penalize someone who is cheating?

-Josh

mbyron · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:15pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

Call R1 out for passing preceding runner, let R2 go back to 1B, toss the coach during the sh!tstorm that ensues.

The passing did not take place during live-ball base-running. You don't get outs on this play, because the defense didn't put anyone out, and the offense didn't do anything that's penalized by declaring an out.

Penalize the infraction that occurred and the perpetrator(s) with the penalty specified in the rules.

SanDiegoSteve · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klokard

How about doing this. "Coach, I know you're joking because that is an illegal switch." Put runners back where they belong and play on. Why not at least attempt to handle it in a non-confrontational manner?

If this is the only mamby-pamby action you are going to take here, what's to stop this cheatin' coach and his cheatin' players from trying to pull this the next game, and in every subsequent game until it's finally punished correctly? Some umpire somewhere in time is going to actually allow them to get away with it, and that is bad for all of us. This is blatant unsportsmanlike conduct, and warrants ejections.

Ump153 · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klokard

How about doing this. "Coach, I know you're joking because that is an illegal switch." Put runners back where they belong and play on. Why not at least attempt to handle it in a non-confrontational manner?

Because this is such an obvious and odiferous attempt at cheating performed in front of the world, worse than drawing lines, worse than throwing his cap...that's why. Dump the Rat.

Klokard · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:32pm

The original poster finished by asking "is this legal?" Meaning he was not sure, correct? Can it be possible that this was a very low level game and the HC/Manager actually did not know? That was the stance I was taking. I cannot imagine this type blatant rules infraction taking place at any level other than beginner baseball. That is why I felt it could be handled in a non-confrontational manner.

mbyron · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:34pm

Klokard, I see your point. I sincerely doubt, however, that even t-ballers would not know which base they were on before time was called.

Ump153 · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 12:41pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klokard

The original poster finished by asking "is this legal?" Meaning he was not sure, correct? Can it be possible that this was a very low level game and the HC/Manager actually did not know? That was the stance I was taking. I cannot imagine this type blatant rules infraction taking place at any level other than beginner baseball. That is why I felt it could be handled in a non-confrontational manner.

When I first started driving I once told a member of the OSP that I didn't realize the speed limit was reduced on a portion of the highway. Still got the ticket.

Enforcing the rules is one of the best ways to teach lessons.

UMP25 · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 01:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbyron

The passing did not take place during live-ball base-running.

Neither does passing a runner on a home run, which also is not a live ball situation, yet you'd call out a runner then.

Having said that, I would not call anyone out for runner passing; rather, I'd most likely eject the coach.

And flag him for unsportsmanlike conduct.

DonInKansas · #13 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 02:48pm

And if all else fails, nail him for making a "travesty of the game!"

Kevin Finnerty · #14 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 04:16pm

A sham-mockery, if you will.

Ump Rube · #15 (**permalink**) Mon Jul 06, 2009, 04:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

A sham-mockery, if you will.

Would that me a shmockery?