courtesy runner situation

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by WestMichBlue
I'll accept the no CR ruling (reluctantly) but this - - - "The rationale is that the spirit and intent of the courtesy runner rule is for the pitcher and/or catcher to be able to rest after they have batted and reached base." - - - is B.S.!

16 yo girls do not need to rest! Pitchers and catchers are usually the best athletes on the team and most coaches do not want to take them off the base. For that reason I put a lot of emphasis in pre-games to get coaches to use the CR - especially for the catcher.

I don't know how long the CR rule has been in ASA JO, but it has been in NFHS for quite a few years - and it is definately a speed-up rule. It used to be a State option under suggested speed-up rules.

WMB

Actually, HS baseball began using this rule back in the '70s, but the reasoning for it wasn't necessarily rest. I believe it was instituted for the catcher first and then for the pitcher a little while later.

The explanation I was given back then was to save their legs, particularly the knees and ankles. Now, I wasn't umpiring at that level at the time, but this is what I was told by the coaching staff.

Yeah, I know it's baseball and I hate baseball, but that is the first place I've seen a CR used and just thought I would relate what I was told.