Sliding Question

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I was unaware of the rule change in NCAA. In the league I work, we use the rule from 2006 (not my rules), and the league has not seen fit to update to any new version.

Here is how the rule reads in its entirety (local No Collision Rule omitted):

11.16 FORCE-PLAY SLIDE RULE
Starting in the Spring 2006 SDABL season the NCAA “Force-Play Slide Rule” will go into effect. The purpose of this rule, as with the SDABL No Collision Rule below, is to prevent injury with respect to those plays that may encourage the “taking out” of a
defensive player during a force and/or double-play situation. Basically, this rule dictates that the runner must slide directly into any base for the just mentioned situations. Simply being able to get just a hand on the base while a “body’s length away” for the purpose of breaking up a double-play will no longer be allowed. The rule in its entirety is as follows:

a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.

Exception --- A runner need not slide directly into a base as along as the runner slides or runs (while standing) in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play/throw of the fielder.
1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.

NOTE 1: If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.

b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:

1) Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
2) Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.
3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.

NOTE 2: When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (1) make contact with or (2) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.

c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:

1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
4) The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;

NOTE 3: ‘Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.

5) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
6) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.

PENALTY for 1 -6 in (c) above:
1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runners are allowed to advance or score. (Ball becomes dead).
2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) allowed to advance or score.
3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the game.

NOTE 4: If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to the bases the occupied at the time of the pitch.

NOTE 5: On a force play, with a two-man umpiring system, if the plate umpire does not have a potential play at the plate, he should move toward the base to observe the runner going into second or third base. In this situation, the base umpire must
follow the throw and may not see the true effect of the lead runner’s actions.

Hey Steve - nice job on the weight loss. Now I have to catch up with you.

I think I'd be obnoxious and ask the league if tey want the NCAA rule or the one in their book - choose one.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Hey Steve - nice job on the weight loss. Now I have to catch up with you.

I think I'd be obnoxious and ask the league if tey want the NCAA rule or the one in their book - choose one.

Thanks Rich!

The reasoning and rationale the league uses for such strict enforcement of the rule as written, as well as the No Collision Rule, is that these players aren't getting paid to play baseball and have to go to work Monday morning. Not only do they not get paid to play, they actually have to pay to play, so safety is a bigger concern than scoring a run or making a base.

Here is the additional No Collision Rule as written, which along with the old FPSR, is the rule used in the league:

11.17 NO COLLISION RULE

11.17.1 Definition:

A runner attempting to acquire a base/home MUST AVOID ANY DELIBERATE STAND-UP COLLISIONS WITH THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF “JARRING” THE BALL LOOSE IF THAT PLAYER HAS POSSESSION OF THE BALL, OR “FORECEFULLY MOVING” THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OUT OF THE WAY IF HE IS ABOUT TO RECEIVE THE THROWN BALL, OR THE INTENT TO INJURE (based on umpire judgment.). This rule also applies to DEFENSIVE PLAYERS, as seen below.

Note: Since no umpire can read a player’s mind in order to determine actual intent, “deliberate” must also be based on umpire judgment. And while any arguments presented to the umpire may in fact be sincere and well-intended, any aggressive “Q & A” directed towards the umpire may be met with a bit of skepticism. This is not an easy call to make, as history has shown.

11.17.2 Intent Of Rule:

To prevent “stand up” collisions between a runner and defensive player for the purpose of preventing injury. While it does apply to any plays at any base, its main focus has been to address plays at home between the runner and catcher. Basically, the intent of this rule is to eliminate the “Pete Rose/Ray Fosse” type of baseball played by professionals---who can obviously “afford” in the real sense of the word to play it this way. Recreational players, however, need to remain healthy so they can go to work on Monday morning.

11.17.3 Consequences for violating this rule:

1) The ball will become immediately dead.
2) No other runners on base will be allowed to advance any further than their present positions when the collision occurs. (Umpire judgment).
3) The violating runner will be called “Out” and, if the play happens at home, not be allowed to score if he has in fact succeeded in doing so.