Plate Blocking Question

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Steve,

Actually in most leagues I have seen with "...slide or avoid modified OBR rules...", the runner is OUT and is ejected if the contact is deemed malicious.

Like USSSA (baseball), for example:



JM

Yeah, that may have changed somewhat over the years, and probably varies from org to org. I do remember PONY baseball only ejecting, but calling the runner safe if the ball was dislodged. This was back in the dinosaur age, IIRC.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Yeah, that may have changed somewhat over the years, and probably varies from org to org. I do remember PONY baseball only ejecting, but calling the runner safe if the ball was dislodged. This was back in the dinosaur age, IIRC.

At one time PONY took the result of the play and an ejection. According to the umpire coordinator at the time, this was specifically aimed at contact after the runner reached the plate/base.

[chymechowder]

cool, thanks for the OBR, FED, NCAA stances.

but.....does anyone know why it's apparently ok in MLB for the runner coming home to do his best Mike Alstott impression?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by chymechowder

cool, thanks for the OBR, FED, NCAA stances.

but.....does anyone know why it's apparently ok in MLB for the runner coming home to do his best Mike Alstott impression?

Because the rules allow it. It has always been accepted in a sport where "Men are Men" "Women are Slaves" and the Sheep are all nervous" ?????

I did a semi-pro league several years back where the catcher got wiped out twice in one game. First time he dropped the ball, second time he recorded the out. Each time he picked up his head and went back to catching. That was the OBR rules they adopted and accepted.

I still remember Pete Rose runing into the catcher during and AllStar game. Of course he would run into a wall if the coach asked him to.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by chymechowder

cool, thanks for the OBR, FED, NCAA stances.

but.....does anyone know why it's apparently ok in MLB for the runner coming home to do his best Mike Alstott impression?

There is no malicious contact rule in OBR.

[johnnyg08]

most leagues in MN play modified OBR with no malicious...in fact, they use the NCAA collision rule at home and the OBR collision or FPSR on 1B, 2B, 3B

[Matt]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

most leagues in MN play modified OBR with no malicious...in fact, they use the NCAA collision rule at home and the OBR collision or FPSR on 1B, 2B, 3B

Adult leagues, you mean.

[Rcichon]

That runner will be beaned next at bat or maybe get cleats to the ear.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Matt

Adult leagues, you mean.

yes, thank you

[DG]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

most leagues in MN play modified OBR with no malicious...in fact, they use the NCAA collision rule at home and the OBR collision or FPSR on 1B, 2B, 3B

NCAA has a malicious rule, OBR does not have a collision rule or FPSR.

[chymechowder]

I must confess to being confused by the whole of the responses now. Because it seems like some are saying it is legal (or at least isn't illegal) to run over the catcher.

It's my understanding that MLB (and maybe NCAA) allows a runner to crash and dislodge the ball from a catcher, but doesn't allow a runner to crash and dislodge the ball from the other infielders.

Assuming that is the case, then there is a discrepancy.

And the discrepancy is either accounted for in the rules (i.e., the rulebook makes an exception for intentional collisions at the plate), or the discrepancy is a result of an "unofficial" rule.

It seems as though the book in MLB and NCAA prohibits crashing into any defender. Correct? But that "unofficially," this isn't ever called at the plate.

(Note: this is simple curiosity from a baseball fan and a football/softball/lacrosse official. I'm not criticizing anyone!)