Run Ahead Rule

[Andy]

Sounds like the Men's FP tournament game I was doing last year...

Run rule of 10 ahead after 4, 8 ahead after 5.

Top of the 5th inning, visiting team scores a 3 run homer to go ahead by 11 runs and starts to come out of the dugout to shake hands with the other team. I ask what they are doing...they reply that they are ahead by 11 runs and it's after the 4th inning, so game over...right?

I calmly explain that we do have to complete the inning and the home team does get their turn at bat....

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Thats funny...the ONE thing the idiots around here understand are the run rules...

I do hate though, when the various leagues decide the ASA book rule is somehow flawed - we have ModFP leagues that have 12...13...even freaking 15 run mercy rules...makes u want to tear your hair out....

[SRW]

The better one I've experienced was in a Men's SP game with a simple 10 after 5 run rule. Team A is winning 6 - 1. In the bottom of the 6th, Team B hits a 3 run homer to make it 6 - 4. Team B comes out and high-5's the home run hitter, then both teams start giving each other high-5's. I'm standing there wondering WTF, so I ask the coach of Team A what's going on?

"It's a 10-run rule, Blue. 6 plus 4 is 10, so we win."

Amazed, I just walked away and waited for the second game of the double header. Unfortunately, that game went the full 7 - the score was something like 3 - 4.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SRW

The better one I've experienced was in a Men's SP game with a simple 10 after 5 run rule. Team A is winning 6 - 1. In the bottom of the 6th, Team B hits a 3 run homer to make it 6 - 4. Team B comes out and high-5's the home run hitter, then both teams start giving each other high-5's. I'm standing there wondering WTF, so I ask the coach of Team A what's going on?

"It's a 10-run rule, Blue. 6 plus 4 is 10, so we win."

Thank God it wasn't a grand slam as that would be eleven and you would probably have to play the entire seven. This isn't a casino employee's league, is it?

[outathm]

In any tournament I am UIC in I try to get the host to give the umpires the Protest fee if the team loses the protest. The team is usually or tacitly, questioning the umpire, not actually the rule.

This was the rule in a tourney I worked years ago when a protest on my field was not allowed. When I got back to the umpires room, everyone was talking about me buying the beer. I had no idea what they were talking about, but when the UIC gave me my half of the $500 cash protest fee I started to figure it out. The only problem was that I was 19 years old at the time, someone else had to go and buy the beer for me.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by outathm

In any tournament I am UIC in I try to get the host to give the umpires the Protest fee if the team loses the protest. The team is usually or tacitly, questioning the umpire, not actually the rule.

This was the rule in a tourney I worked years ago when a protest on my field was not allowed. When I got back to the umpires room, everyone was talking about me buying the beer. I had no idea what they were talking about, but when the UIC gave me my half of the $500 cash protest fee I started to figure it out. The only problem was that I was 19 years old at the time, someone else had to go and buy the beer for me.

Don't believe in "protest fees". This process is part of the game.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Don't believe in "protest fees". This process is part of the game.

Maybe not in tourneys, but definitely in league play. Too many idiots out there believe that by filing a "protest," they're filing a complaint against the umpire. They just don't understand the process.

I had one "coach" attempt to protest my ejection of her husband. I had tossed him for USC (in the league's playoff finals), and she wanted to protest my judgment that his actions were unsportsmanlike. Basically, she just didn't like me (oh no!), and she just wanted to be a b1tch.

I told her to get back into the dugout and come back to me when she had something real to protest.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Don't believe in "protest fees". This process is part of the game.

In a perfect world, I agree with you.
On the other hand, in travel ball tournments (where I see protest fees), I see a funtion being served.
Believe it or not, I have run across more than one coach who would protest things rules with out any backing.
The fee is kind of a "put your money where you mouth is" and helps prevent wasting time (which seems to be the an issue with tournaments)
I've seen a wide range a fees charged - I would prefer the charge not to be ridiculous - but enough to make the coach think....

[kcg NC2Ablu]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Don't believe in "protest fees". This process is part of the game.

What a protest fee does is eliminate the useless protests when the managers are being idiots ( i know imagine that ) and protesting just to screw around or be vindictive. If the umpire is unsure of the rule they should be requesting a rule book and PREVENT a valid protest. The fee if the umpire is wrong is returned to the coach if the umpire is right they loose their "deposit"