defensive conference and runners

[jodibuck]

This happened in a high school playoff game using FED rules. With runners on second and third, catcher requests a time out to talk to her pitcher. Both runners leave their base and go to talk to their third base coach. Plate umpire, who also umpires NCAA, tells the coach the players may not leave the vicinity of their respective base to confer with the their coach, unless it is an official charged defensive conference. Is this correct? I feel she applied the NCAA rule to a NFHS game.

[RKBUmp]

Originally Posted by jodibuck

This happened in a high school playoff game using FED rules. With runners on second and third, catcher requests a time out to talk to her pitcher. Both runners leave their base and go to talk to their third base coach. Plate umpire, who also umpires NCAA, tells the coach the players may not leave the vicinity of their respective base to confer with the their coach, unless it is an official charged defensive conference. Is this correct? I feel she applied the NCAA rule to a NFHS game.

She was applying an NCAA rule, no such limitation in FED. Wasnt same umpire from the number of conferences thread was it?

[Jake26]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

... no such limitation in FED.

Hmm, I've wondered about this. Although there is no equivalent to NCAA Rule 6.10.5.4 in the NFHS Rules, the definitions of charged conferences in NFHS Rules 3.7.1 and 3.7.2 seem to indicate that the umpire in the OP made the proper decision. In particular, there is no "delay of game" factor in the NFHS definitions. If the offensive coach confers with offensive personnel (a rough summary of the Rule) without the defense being in the midst of a charged conference, a conference has been held.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Jake26

Hmm, I've wondered about this. Although there is no equivalent to NCAA Rule 6.10.5.4 in the NFHS Rules, the definitions of charged conferences in NFHS Rules 3.7.1 and 3.7.2 seem to indicate that the umpire in the OP made the proper decision. In particular, there is no "delay of game" factor in the NFHS definitions. If the offensive coach confers with offensive personnel (a rough summary of the Rule) without the defense being in the midst of a charged conference, a conference has been held.

You are being overly technical in your interpretation of the charged conference rules. First, your claim that there is no "delay of game" factor is incorrect. 3.7.3 uses the phrase "...thus not delaying the game."

Secondly, case play 3.7.1 SITUATION E, while not EXACTLY this situation contains the principle to be applied in interpreting the rule.

In the top of the fifth inning, (a) the defensive team's head coach asks for "Time" to check on her center fielder who appears to be ill, and (b) at the same time the assistant coach goes to the pitcher's mound to visit with the pitcher. Has a charged conference occurred?

RULING: A conference is not charged when "Time" is called for an obviously incapacitated player. In (a), if the umpire judged the player to be apparently ill, then no conference would be charged. In (b), since "Time" is out, the assistant coach is permitted on the field to talk to any defensive player. When play is to resume, if she is not off the field, she shall be charged a conference for delay.

NOTE: If the umpire feels that a player is faking an injury, her team shall be assessed a charged conference.

I've underlined the principle. Notice that the original TIME OUT was not a charged conference. Yet, coaches are permitted to confer with their players during this time out providing they do not delay the resumption of play.