Another coaches tale...

[Skahtboi]

I was calling a rec league game the other night, using Dixie Belles rules, and the following occured. Runner coming from third, F2 blocking home plate takes the throw cleanly. As the runner goes to slide on a rock hard, not well maintained infield, her cleats catch and send her tumbling, of course, right into the catcher who makes the tag and then drops the ball. I wait to make the call, and seeing the ball roll away, make a safe call. Both girls, get up, dust themselves off, and the runner retreats to the dugout without ever touching home plate, or for that matter, even getting close to it. (The collision happened about three feet in front of the plate.)

Defensive coach requests time. "Ah," I think to myself,"a rec league coach who is paying attention to the game." I grant the time. Coach approaches. And what do you think he said???

"I thought that the runner had to slide."

Yup. Nothing about the runner never making to home. I explain that there is no rule requiring a runner to slide, but simply to avoid contact. I then explain that the runner attempted to slide, her cleat caught and send her tumbling. Hence, what we had in esscence was a train wreck. Before ending the conversation, I gently prod, "Is there anything else, coach?!" There was nothing.

However, at the change of the next half inning, he does come by and ask if I didn't think that the runner had lowered her shoulder into the catcher. I assured him that she did not. After he had walked off, I leaned to my partner and asked, "should I tell him?" His response: "Why make him suffer any more than he is already?"

Sad thing is, had the coach been watching, he could have had the out he so desperately was seeking.