Local Rule question

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I'm thinking your 2nd thought is more likely how I would have ruled. It seems they leave it completely up to you as to whether to call the out or not, but the judgement hinges on whether the contact could have been avoided, and I think the situation you describe doesn't really include the kind of contact (getting tagged on the leg) that one would normally want to punish.

I think the biggest issue we have in the league is the rules bolded portion is the only portion people read (including myself until the other day). This is why there was no objection to the call of her being out. In fact, on that play the coach even asked me if she was just out for the play or was ejected. Apparently some umpires being used by the league were ejecting players for not sliding on a close play. I almost started to laugh when he asked if she was ejected because I couldn't fathom any way, shape or form where she would be ejected on that play. I told him I had enough of a problem with calling her out (which actually was not the correct call the way the rule is worded, when you read the entire rule).

[Tru_in_Blu]

We have a local rule in Men's slow pitch that reads as follows:

A continuous batting order will be used during the playoffs. All players in attendance will be in the batting order. However, the team with the most players has the option to bat the same number of players as the team with less players. All remaining players will be substitutes. During the playoffs a team can play with as few as 9 players but the 10 slot will be an out each time in the order.

If a player is injured during the game or needs to leave the game for any other reason, this will not be an out in the order unless a team drops to 9 players. Integrity must be used at all times.

The situation we had was that the team with more players, therefore 2 or 3 substitutes, had their number 2 batter get injured. The coach ultimately did utilize one of his subs, but wanted to simply skip the injured player in the batting lineup. This would not result in an out per their bylaw and have the benefit of not having to put a less prolific offensive player into the No. 2 slot.

ASA shorthanded rule stipulates that if playing shorthanded and a substitute arrives, that player must enter the game or be ineligible for the rest of the game. It's not exactly how the above played out, but the logic seems to fit. That, and the "integrity" statement included in the bylaw.

Any comments?

[3afan]

I would bet that statistically, more players are injured sliding than in collisions ... and I bet its not close.

[wrigleywannabe]

WE did away with our slide rule a few years ago, in part, because of a case in a HS game where a runner slide and was injured, I believe a broken leg or something similar.

The family sued. I don't know the ins and outs of it, but they won.

More or less, it was a case where he slid only because of the rule stating he had to on a close play.

I'm assuming the court ruled the rule was too vague and resulted in the injury

The other part we dumped it was because there is so much variety between umps in what is close and not close.

I once saw a runner cross home plate as the ball is bouncing through the circle. The catcher had taken a couple steps up in front of the plate to clear out of the way.

It was obvious there was no play, yet the umpire called her out.

Our rule now says that runners must make an attempt to avoid a collision. That can be sliding, trying to go around, pulling up, etc.

It's worked out without any issues at all for three years or so.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by wrigleywannabe

Our rule now says that runners must make an attempt to avoid a collision. That can be sliding, trying to go around, pulling up, etc.

It's worked out without any issues at all for three years or so.

Wow, by the book !