I'm not saying that someone shouldn't be thrown out of a game for throwing a bat. Throwing your glove at a ball that is about to become fair to keep it foul, to me is also unsportsmanlike and should be punished as well.

Mike,
Apples and oranges. What we are talking about is a live batted ball intentionally touched by by a player(or her detached equipment)participating in the game.(Exactly what is covered in other Fed rules.) The ball from the ajoining field or the bird flying by is very different. (And there are varying interpertations on the bird, as I recall!)

Again, I'm not attacking any official interps. Just proposing an argument for any codes without an interp.

Does ASA have a play on this point?

Roger Greene

While it may seem to many of us that the act of a fielder throwing a glove at a batted ball to prevent it from becoming fair deserves some sanction in the rules, it is clear (from the ASA perspective, at least) that the rules do not support such a thing.

Further, including the question on the umpire's test indicates that this is not some oversight in the rules. Clearly, the ASA is aware of the interpretation and wants it called that way.

IOW, throwing a glove to prevent a batted ball from rolling fair is a legitimate defensive play in ASA.

Just as getting down on your hands and knees trying to blow the ball foul.

I think it's a heads-up play by the defense. The equipment isn't being thrown in anger and there is no given that the move will work. For that matter, if it is late and hits the ball in fair territory, that BR is going to end up on 3B.

I am still trying to figger out where "four territory" is.....

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/egging.gif

Scott

Scott,

Just to the "left side of foul ground" LOL

me http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/think.gif

glen