Rookie League question

[RKBUmp]

Went and watched a rookie league game between the Indians and the Dodgers last night and came away with a question.

Runner coming home, catcher is in front of the plate on 1st base line, plenty of room for runner to get to plate without contacting the catcher. The throw is cut and would not have made it in time anyway, runner lowers his shoulder and just mows down the catcher. He physically had to go out of his way to make contact. Ump didnt say a word, but there were a lot of rather loud BS'S coming from the dugout. Is there no rules in minor league ball that protects the catcher or another player in similar situation?

Ultimate result of this, 2 innings later, the offender comes to bat and 1st pitch sails over his head, 2nd pitch is a strike, 3rd pitch gets him right between the shoulder blades. Obviously a payback and now the ump goes out and has some words with the pitcher.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Sounds like the players took care of it themselves, which is the way it's handled in pro ball. I don't think I would have said anything to the pitcher. Now if the other team retaliated further by throwing at one of their batters, then at that time I would either eject or warn both benches at that time, depending on the circumstances.

[RKBUmp]

Thanks, kind of figured that was the case. Any lower level of game I have seen it would have been an immediate ejection, but the ump didnt even flinch.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Thanks, kind of figured that was the case. Any lower level of game I have seen it would have been an immediate ejection, but the ump didnt even flinch.

Yes. That's a MAJOR difference between pro ball and any level of amateur ball, from NCAA on down.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Yes. That's a MAJOR difference between pro ball and any level of amateur ball, from NCAA on down.

Right! If you are being paid to play, then this is how it works - deal with it.

However, in amateur baseball, this cannot and should not be allowed or tolerated!

[jicecone]

I worked a semi-pro league for a few years with the same rules. One game the catcher got BLASTED twice in the same game. About all I could do was pickup his mask , ask him how he was doing and hope the glaze in his eyes didn't prevent him from catching the ball and hitting me.

The league finnally realized that a lot of their players actually worked for a living and needed to show up for work the next day after a game. The League finally changed the rules, of course after someone got hurt.