Batter "Walks" on Ball 3

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I don't necessarily disagree, it is valid reasoning, but you know as well as I that many get themselves into trouble when they try to stretch rules farther than they were meant.

Let me ask you this. If a coach told you he was going to have his batter take off on ball 3, what would you do?

"Coach, I will rule on that, if any ruling is necessary based on what happens as a result; but you need to understand that someone running that isn't legally entitled to COULD be judged as interference."

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

"Coach, I will rule on that, if any ruling is necessary based on what happens as a result; but you need to understand that someone running that isn't legally entitled to COULD be judged as interference."

And when asked for a rule citation?

[wallyb]

greetings...would telling the coach that attempting to run to first base on ball 3 could be considered a form of delaying the game and citing rule 5-4 e be effective?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by wallyb

greetings...would telling the coach that attempting to run to first base on ball 3 could be considered a form of delaying the game and citing rule 5-4 e be effective?

I wouldn't use that, unless you really felt that the batter was purposely delaying the game for something very apparent, like approaching darkness or time limit that would give the offense a distinct advantage.

But I suppose you could use 7-3-D about failing to keep one foot in the box between pitches, and issue the appropriate warnings and strike calls.

[RKBUmp]

7-3-d has so many exceptions. Was catcher in catchers box, was pitcher in the circle, did the pitch chase the batter out of the box or as in the original post was there a passed ball?

[wallyb]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I wouldn't use that, unless you really felt that the batter was purposely delaying the game for something very apparent, like approaching darkness or time limit that would give the offense a distinct advantage.

But I suppose you could use 7-3-D about failing to keep one foot in the box between pitches, and issue the appropriate warnings and strike calls.

since most games, rec league games excluded, are timed i like the delay approach a little better. any others agree or disagree?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wallyb

greetings...would telling the coach that attempting to run to first base on ball 3 could be considered a form of delaying the game and citing rule 5-4 e be effective?

Are you prepared to forfeit a game for the purpose of stopping a coach from using a trick play?

The most you can get here is a warning or called strike for the batter leaving the batter's box assuming one of the exception is in effect, which was the case in the OP.

[wallyb]

well, i see your point. no i wouldnt be prepared to forfeit the game for the purpose of stopping the coach from using a trick play but i would be if i considered the coaches repetetive tacticts unnecessarily delaying the game. what do you think the best response would be if the coach told you that he was going to have every batter run on ball 3?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wallyb

well, i see your point. no i wouldnt be prepared to forfeit the game for the purpose of stopping the coach from using a trick play but i would be if i considered the coaches repetetive tacticts unnecessarily delaying the game. what do you think the best response would be if the coach told you that he was going to have every batter run on ball 3?

Call the ball game as it unfolds in front of me

[wallyb]

so would i but what would your response be to a coach who told you that he was going to have every batter run on ball 3?