"Fake Tag"

[steveshane67]

This topic is stolen from softballfans.com ASA Pretending to Catch ball - SoftballFans.com


but my question is can a fielder do everything to simulate receiving a throw from another fielder, but never make a fake tag, yet the fielders actions cause the runner to not advance to the next base? is this OBS or does it depend on the sit.

OBSTRUCTION: The act of a defensive team member:
A. Who hinders or impedes a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.
B. A fielder, who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases unless the fielder is:
1. in possession of the ball.
2. in the act of fielding a batted ball.
NOTE: Contact is not necessary to impede the progress of the batter-runner or a runner.

something you see in baseball regularly is on a hit and run, the MI will simulate turning a DP to get the runner to slide into 2nd even though the ball is in the OF.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

This topic is stolen from softballfans.com ASA Pretending to Catch ball - SoftballFans.com


but my question is can a fielder do everything to simulate receiving a throw from another fielder, but never make a fake tag, yet the fielders actions cause the runner to not advance to the next base? is this OBS or does it depend on the sit.



something you see in baseball regularly is on a hit and run, the MI will simulate turning a DP to get the runner to slide into 2nd even though the ball is in the OF.

BretMan and I have already answered this question thoroughly and ad nauseam on that forum.

[greymule]

When I played baseball, fake tags were legal (and still are in OBR). They were fully accepted as fair play if the defense used them as legitimate strategy. The only "no-no" was an unnecessary fake tag, such as when a runner was stealing 2B and the pitch was fouled off.

I never saw an injury from a fake tag, probably because runners knew what was going on.

[PtotheB]

Reading through that post on softball fans was the equivalent of doing a men's league double header worth of knowledge "gurus" and experts. I'm tired.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Refused to read the entire thread there. Simple concept; fake tags are obstruction, faking catching a throw when no throw is happening is nothing. If a runner reacted to nothing illegal, that is just poor baserunning, and poor coaching.

When one team is stupid, that doesn't make the other team illegal. Get a clue, instead of blaming the opponents. That's exactly why there are base coaches; to direct the runners.

[IRISHMAFIA]

From ASA Clinic Guide:

Fake Tag: Rule 8, Section 5 B 4 C

A fielder may not make a fake tag, a tag without the ball,
on a runner. Obstruction should be called if the runner is
hindered or impeded in any way, and all awards for

obstruction apply.

[steveshane67]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

From ASA Clinic Guide:

Fake Tag: Rule 8, Section 5 B 4 C

A fielder may not make a fake tag, a tag without the ball,
on a runner. Obstruction should be called if the runner is
hindered or impeded in any way, and all awards for

obstruction apply.

so OBS has to be physical, or threat of physical contact (ie fielder in base bath causes runner to slow/stop to not run into fielder)