What is an outfielder/infielder?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by youngump

How is a local rule misinformation? We have a league where if you hit the ball over the fence in certain spots in flight it's a double. Is this misinformation?

That'd be a ground rule, unless that section of fence is shorter than the minimum prescribed distance. Then, it'd be an actual rule.

I can't quite agree with Irish on the line issue. Rules are established before a game to set the level of expectation based on the anticipated level of competition and fair play. If the level of play is that low, then I see nothing wrong with setting up additional "parameters" within which the game is to be played. Granted, a player playing in such a league won't learn much about the proper way to play the sport, but if her goal isn't advancement, what's wrong with it?

Like bumpers in bowling. It doesn't help the players improve, but it can improve the enjoyment of the game. And if everyone agrees to their use, I see no harm in it.

Then again, I used to bowl in the 200s (without bumpers and with the foul lights activated) when I was 11, so... Might not be a good example.

[Dakota]

What Mike was talking about was giving people the expectation / belief that the grass has any part in the rules at all, especially regarding infielders and outfielders. Can anyone here actually say they have never heard a coach complain "that can't be an infield fly... it was caught on the grass"? Local rules like the one quoted reinforce that fallicy (and were perhaps written by someone who believes that fallicy - or, in other words, by someone who is ignorant regarding the rules).

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

What Mike was talking about was giving people the expectation / belief that the grass has any part in the rules at all, especially regarding infielders and outfielders. Can anyone here actually say they have never heard a coach complain "that can't be an infield fly... it was caught on the grass"? Local rules like the one quoted reinforce that fallicy (and were perhaps written by someone who believes that fallicy - or, in other words, by someone who is ignorant regarding the rules).

Oh, I certainly understand that it perpetuates myths. And if the player rises through the ranks, s/he will hopefully have a decent enough coach that these myths will be short-lived.

Okay, I know that last part is a tall order, but you get what I'm saying.

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Dakota

What Mike was talking about was giving people the expectation / belief that the grass has any part in the rules at all, especially regarding infielders and outfielders. Can anyone here actually say they have never heard a coach complain "that can't be an infield fly... it was caught on the grass"? Local rules like the one quoted reinforce that fallicy (and were perhaps written by someone who believes that fallicy - or, in other words, by someone who is ignorant regarding the rules).

I agree "on the grass" means nothing. That would also depend on how deep the dirt cut is.

In our 8U town ball, our local rule states that outfielders must be at least 10ft beyond the bases until ball is contacted.