What's the reasoning?

[SamNVa]

Originally posted by whiskers_ump
January 30, 2003

Memo from Walt Sparks, UIC for TASO Softball
Quoting Mr. Sparks - Copying and pasting what was posted.

Rule Clarification - Runners Switching on the Bases

Rule 3-3-10 #3, 8-3-6; 8-6-4; 10-2-38


Rule 3 Sec 3 Art 10 #3. There were only 2 Articles under Sec 3 and no mention of switching bases.

I believe the correct citation is (from the 2002 book) 3.3.1.o #3 which says (paraphrasing) A coach or player ... shall commit any unsporting act to include ... any hehavior not in accordance with the spirit of fair play..

Rule 8 Sec 3 Art 6. Art 6. A runner shall not run bases in reverse order either to confuse the fielders or to make a travesty of the game. Would this apply?

My guess is this is meant to apply to the lead runner who technically did "run" the bases in reverse order. Although not in keeping with the original intent of the rule, peple try to invoke this rule any time a runner returns to a previous base.

Rule 8 Sec 6 Art 4. Physically passing a preceding runner before that runner has been put out.
Penalty - ball is in play and the runner is out. One out.

This one seems to be the only rule that really could apply if you claim that once the ball has been made live again that R2 has "passed" R1.

Rule 10 Sec 2 Art 38. Only 3 Articles listed.
.

Again quoting from the 2002 book, this appears to be rule 10.2.3.c which says The duties include ... the following: Eject a player, coach ... or 10.2.3.f Penalize for rules infractions such as ... unsporting behavior...

2004 Rule Book.
3-3-10 Is about bleeding coaches/players.
8-3-6 Running bases in reverse order.
8-6-4 passing preceding runner
10-2-38 no 38 only 3 articles.

Since I don't have a 2004 book, I can't comment on what the new citations might be.

SamC

[Edited by SamNVa on Jan 9th, 2004 at 01:30 PM]