First one for the year

[ManInBlue]

Well I kinda gave most of what I heard. I wasn't involved with the discussion. He pretty much was adamant that the runner had to slide bye claims it's in the book. Like I said, I heard him after he went back to the dug out "asking" what rule book we were playing by. That's not much info but it all I know.

I don't want to make you feel worse about waiting to start but my first games were on a beautiful Saturday at the end of February. This was my fourth date!! Not all of them have been warm and I doubt all of the rest of them will be either. Gotta love the weather in MS.

[IowaMike]

If you expect coaches to know the rules you'll usually be sadly disappointed. Guess "he has to slide" is another one of those urban legends in baseball rules along with the hand is part of the bat etc.

I'm a little jealous too; the high school season here doesn't start until the last week of May.

[dash_riprock]

Did the runner attempt to avoid the catcher, assuming he had an opportunity to do so?

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Did the runner attempt to avoid the catcher, assuming he had an opportunity to do so?

He didn't appear to, no. He ran across the plate. F2 tagged him and stepped aside.

What'cha got if he didn't slide or attempt to avoid contact? An out? F2 didn't drop the ball - he was already out.

Coach's only argument was "he HAS to slide" - he didn't aruge for an EJ. So, let's go down this road...No slide, no attempt to avoid. Coach argues as this one is, you explain that a slide is not mandatory, but he must slide or attempt to avoid contact. Coach says, Well, he didn't make any attempt to avoid contact either. Now what?

[jicecone]

Did a double-header Varsity yesterday when coach comes to my partner and says that the other team is not allowed to say the word "Balk" when the pitcher is standing on the plate. Then came to me in between innings.

After I explained the difference between "Freedom of Speech" and "commiting
an act for the purpose of causing a balk", he said I didn't know anything about the rules. I said ok, turned around and went to right field.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Did a double-header Varsity yesterday when coach comes to my partner and says that the other team is not allowed to say the word "Balk" when the pitcher is standing on the plate. Then came to me in between innings.

After I explained the difference between "Freedom of Speech" and "commiting an act for the purpose of causing a balk", he said I didn't know anything about the rules. I said ok, turned around and went to right field.

Why is it that so many officials on this forum have the unending desire to be statesmen or comediennes and impending need to test coach's patience?

This was uncalled for, imo.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Why is it that so many officials on this forum have the unending desire to be statesmen or comediennes and impending need to test coach's patience?

This was uncalled for, imo.

"Why is it that so many officials on this forum have the unending desire to be" the know it all's, the English professor and the Smart arses all the time. Don't recall your name as being the "Umpire of the Year."

[rcaverly]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

The Big Dogs in the association want to work with each other after pancakes 'n beer. This dooms proper matchings; they have no interest in being astute leaders, only their self-interests. Which games with which other Big Dogs and the paychecks that come their way. And IHOP pancakes and cheap beers of course.

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

Why is it that so many officials on this forum have the unending desire to be statesmen or comediennes and impending need to test coach's patience? This was uncalled for, imo.

Again, do those shoes fit?

[dash_riprock]

8-4-2-c. Any runner is out when he does not legally attempt to avoid a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him.

Penalty: The runner is out and the ball remains live unless interference occurs and is declared.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

8-4-2-c. Any runner is out when he does not legally attempt to avoid a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him.

Penalty: The runner is out and the ball remains live unless interference occurs and is declared.

Not applicable for this case . Fielder can't be there without the ball first. Runner still must make attempt to avoid contact though. Sounds more like incidental contact here however, HTBT.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Not applicable for this case . Fielder can't be there without the ball first.

From the OP: "The ball only beat him by a step or 2."

[rcaverly]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

Guess "he has to slide" is another one of those urban legends in baseball rules along with the hand is part of the bat etc.

I have it as myth #20: "The runner must always slide when the play is close."

The myth "the hands are part of the bat" is number one by all a long shot, and has been heard at every level of ball from sandlot to the show.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

I'm a little jealous too; the high school season here doesn't start until the last week of May.

Finished up last tourney Saturday. District starts Friday in Texas. Basketball playoffs finished so some of the better pitchers and infielders will start playing BB. In small schools, there are a lot of two and three sport players.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

If you expect coaches to know the rules you'll usually be sadly disappointed.

Got that right. Which is all the better reason to not be cutesy, toss one liners or lecture them on constitutional rights; most of the time, all that does is make them look and feel stupid - it makes the official look like a jester - which is the last thing a rules uneducated coach wants, regardless of whether he is or not an idiot.

Calmly listen, correct with short, distinct rules or related information, listen a little more, answer appropriately, end the discussion while moving off. Professional, precise, everybody should be satisfied.