Base Line and Verbal Obstruction?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ChampaignBlue

I can because I have. Especially with young players. Fielder standing in base path (or running path) watching play in the outfield, runner should avoid the collision but is also watching play in outfield, not where she is going. Left to continue eventually we may be sending a kid needlessly to the hospital because of a collision. A simple reminder to get out of the basepath if you are not making a play can save a broken leg or worse. Preventative umpiring.

The OP refers to the base line, not a base path.

Other than the rules stating defenders (other than the catcher) position themselves in fair territory and not in the batter's line of vision (whatever that is), there is nothing giving the umpire any authority to dictate where any defender other than the battery stands.

There are given remedies for obstruction, so even 10.3.C cannot justify coaching a player where to stand.

And the UMPIRE is not sending anyone to the hospital. It is the coach's job to coach the player. If a player goes to the hospital, it has nothing to do with the umpire unless they are making up their own rules.

[ronald]

Tru_Blu_

I like that rule. Shame it has to be written and that some people are clueless concerning sportsmanship.

Mike, can you get that passed at the National level?


Ron

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ronald

Tru_Blu_

I like that rule. Shame it has to be written and that some people are clueless concerning sportsmanship.

Mike, can you get that passed at the National level?

Ron

No, something like that probably would never get out of committee. One reason is that RS 49 addresses it, though in a very vague and more administrative manner. Another reason is that the NUS would predetermine and sell the point that USC is and should be an umpire's judgment issue to determine, much like an INT call.

There used to be a paragraph in Rule 10 which specifically addressed the conduct of all participants toward umpires and the opposing team and coaches.

When there was an in-house overhaul of the book including Rule 10, this paragraph was removed. I thought (and voiced my opinion) that it should have been placed back in the rule as a guide of sorts to help an umpire determine what may not be appropriate on the field, but apparently no one (in authority) agreed.