Runner must slide rule

[HugoTafurst]

If I remember correctly, Little League, Inc. has a rule that states that a runner must slide or attempt to a avoid a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag.

People often refer to this as "must slide". (right or wrong)

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

If I remember correctly, Little League, Inc. has a rule that states that a runner must slide or attempt to a avoid a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag.

People often refer to this as "must slide". (right or wrong)

All rules require avoidance of collisions, but LL does or at least did have a "must slide" rule. Of course, that is where many coaches started there "diamond" careers.
The other part is that coaches teach players to slide to avoid tags & collisions; so then players think they must slide and that translates into a rule in their minds.
It's like the turn after overrunning 1st base. Players are taught to turn right to "avoid being out", that becomes a rule in their minds.
And others, usually actually believed as rules by the coaches who have never been umpires.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

All rules require avoidance of collisions, but LL does or at least did have a "must slide" rule. Of course, that is where many coaches started there "diamond" careers.
The other part is that coaches teach players to slide to avoid tags & collisions; so then players think they must slide and that translates into a rule in their minds.
It's like the turn after overrunning 1st base. Players are taught to turn right to "avoid being out", that becomes a rule in their minds.
And others, usually actually believed as rules by the coaches who have never been umpires.

The last LL rules that I had seen specifically prohibits leagues from making a must slide rule. Last book I saw was 08. One of the few points I agreed on with LL.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

The last LL rules that I had seen specifically prohibits leagues from making a must slide rule. Last book I saw was 08. One of the few points I agreed on with LL.

Think about it. How can LL prohibit anyone from enacting a rule locally? Not saying there should be such a rule, but what are they going to do? Yes, that is a question.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Think about it. How can LL prohibit anyone from enacting a rule locally? Not saying there should be such a rule, but what are they going to do? Yes, that is a question.

They could prohibit it if they think that there is a safety/liability issue that could become an insurance coverage problem. Simple as that.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

They could prohibit it if they think that there is a safety/liability issue that could become an insurance coverage problem. Simple as that.

Doesn't answer the question The only possible thing I can imagine would be for LL to pull their sanction, which to many LL associations isn't that big a deal as there are plenty of other organizations willing to fill that void.

That is like saying the NFHS can prohibit a state association from doing something. They cannot.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Doesn't answer the question The only possible thing I can imagine would be for LL to pull their sanction, which to many LL associations isn't that big a deal as there are plenty of other organizations willing to fill that void.

That is like saying the NFHS can prohibit a state association from doing something. They cannot.

No, they can't, but they can withhold a seat on the rule committee: which they do.

Which is why you still see states using a shot clock. The sanction isn't enough to prevent undesired behavior.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

.

That is like saying the NFHS can prohibit a state association from doing something. They cannot.

There is a difference, the regional/world championship conducted by LL, with no analogous activity in NFHS.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

The last LL rules that I had seen specifically prohibits leagues from making a must slide rule. Last book I saw was 08. One of the few points I agreed on with LL.

Yeah, my LL experience is a long time ago, with my son who is now coaching is son and daughter.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

All rules require avoidance of collisions, but LL does or at least did have a "must slide" rule. Of course, that is where many coaches started there "diamond" careers.
The other part is that coaches teach players to slide to avoid tags & collisions; so then players think they must slide and that translates into a rule in their minds.
It's like the turn after overrunning 1st base. Players are taught to turn right to "avoid being out", that becomes a rule in their minds.
And others, usually actually believed as rules by the coaches who have never been umpires.

Not for the last 15 years, at least.

Rita

[falsecut]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

All rules require avoidance of collisions, but LL does or at least did have a "must slide" rule. Of course, that is where many coaches started there "diamond" careers.
The other part is that coaches teach players to slide to avoid tags & collisions; so then players think they must slide and that translates into a rule in their minds.
It's like the turn after overrunning 1st base. Players are taught to turn right to "avoid being out", that becomes a rule in their minds.
And others, usually actually believed as rules by the coaches who have never been umpires.

I've seen lots of tournaments and in-house leagues that have a must slide rule. I don't think it's hard to see where the idea comes from at all.

[UmpireErnie]

"Must slide" is quite a bit different than "Must slide OR avoid contact".

But I think people just hear or remembber the "must slide" part. And again it seems like only LL rule set and local league rule sets (which are often poorly written and left open to interpretation) use the actual words "must slide". Yet it has become one of those famous softball myths like "the hands are part of the bat".

It's a misconception backed up by the fact that in pro baseball it is a perfectly accepted part of the game to crash into a fielder who is holding the ball waiting to tag you where as in softball that will get you called out and probably earn you an early check out.

To put "must slide" in writing IMO is simply opening a litigation nightmare when little Sally breaks her leg sliding because the rules said she had to.