Stepping on the Plate

[Tru_in_Blu]

As a player/coach in a company intramural league [modified FP] several years ago, I was complicit in a similar situation.

My team was home, and we were in a game with lots of runs and walks. After 5 innings, the visitors were ahead by a run. It was starting to get dark, but the umps decided to try to get in one more inning. Visitors went out quickly in the top half of the inning.

Our half of the inning resulted in a couple of outs, sandwiched around a couple of walks. The visitors were delaying as much as they could, trying to get the game called due to darkness. Our next batter hit a gap double scoring the tying and go-ahead runs. Now the delays became more pronounced, although the umps never said anything about it. Maybe this was before such a rule was in place, I don't know.

The next batter got up, and there were pitches in the dirt, but not far enough away for the runner to advance. Throws back to the pitcher bounded away, all the while taking time. Outfielders were complaining that they couldn't see the ball. The umpires were becoming noticeably nervous about their decision to have started this last inning. The batter ultimately walked. The catcher wanted to talk to the pitcher.

Next batter came to bat. Since we now had a one-run lead, as the pitcher was holding the ball in the circle, delaying some more, I yelled out to the runner at second base: "Joel! Go to third base." He promptly stepped off the base to go to third, and the base umpire called him out.

Game over. We win by a run.

Was that a tactic? Was it illegal? Unethical? My guys thought it was "brilliant!" Umpires were relieved, too.