Is it Bush League?

We have all seen things in games that we would consider "Bush". In a recent college game, that was being broadcasted, a runner on 2nd base was waving right or left, depending on where the catcher was locating.

The defensive team made 2 consectutive throwdowns to 2nd base and each time, the runner was safe, but the runner recieved a hard tag to the face. Apparently she is a slow learner but after the second time, she apparently got the message. The broadcasters actually mentioned, to the effect, that there is a price to pay if you use "bush" tactics.

Some other tactics mentioned up here on anther forum are coaches yelling to the batter what pitch was called, coaches and teammates yelling where the catcher is setting up.

Then I witnessed these two events this week that asks, is it "bush" or is it just good thinking and knowledge of the rulebook.

1. Runner on 1st base gets caught off-base and is now involved in a run-down. Everyone on defense has lined-up at either 1st base or 2nd base to get their chance to try to get this runner out. The runner has gone back and forth about 4 times so far. A fielder coming off of 2nd base chases the runner back toward 1st base and then throws the ball to a fielder covering 1st base. The runner turns toward 1st base and then does an immediate turn back toward 2nd base where, lo and behold, the previous fielder from 2nd base is standing, directly in her path to 2nd base. Runner, seeing the fielder without the ball in the base path runs into the fielder, staggers, but continues toward 2nd base. She is tagged out. But wait...Obstruction on the fielder, runner is awarded 2nd base.

Was it bush for the runner to see the defensive lapse and take advantage of the rules? I say no, good thinking.

2. Runner on 2nd base. When the runner comes off of the bag at the pitch and then stops, the 2nd baseman covers 2nd base and the shortstop comes next to the runner to "push" her back to 2nd base. As the runner retreats, the SS is right on her heals, so close that she actually trips the runner one time. On a later pitch, the runner comes off of the bag, the same thing happens but this time the pitcher raises her arm to look as though she will throw the ball. The runner immediately turns toward 3rd base, of course runs into the SS who is right beside her, staggers and continues toward 3rd base where she is tagged out. But wait.....obstruction on the SS. Runner is awarded 3rd base.

Is it bush for the runner to again, take advantage of a defensive gaffe and along with knowledge of the rules, gain another base? I say no.

In both cases, when the girls came back to the dugout, I ask them if they intentionally ran into the fielders and they both said "yes, because I knew that I could get the obstruction call." Man, that High School education is paying off.

Are there other things that you would consider "Bush"?

 

Sounds more like Cheney.

 

Most teams and players will look for any advantage they can. If a pitcher is tipping their pitches or the catcher is tipping location you can bet the dugout knows it and the batter will know it too...especially at the college level. There are ways to let the hitter know without being obvious about it. I would think college catchers would find a way not to tip the location too soon as well as change the signs with a runner on second.

 

now thats funny I dont care who you are!


Im from the old school so I will relate this story...

The very first time we went down to Charlotte to play travel ball was with a lil local group of players. We got plastered of course and in one particular game where we were getting slaughter ruled the other team would stick their bats out and wave them in front of the plate when the count was 3-0. I thought this poor sportmanship when you were up by 10+ runs. Anyway, I wasnt coaching but in the old days this type of thing got ya one in the ear.

Come to find out however this was a common practice.. which thankfully has seemed to disappear as the years have gone by.

I dont think showing location to the batter from second is bush league.

Hard nose ball is hard nose ball however and hard slap tags to the face deserve a little "chin music" when the time is right. Otherwise the offenders get the mojo on you.

 

SS or 2nd basement who gets a ball hit to them, intentionally takes the "baseline" hoping for an interference call from an offensive collision.

These are "loop holes". Rules meant to protect players but used to gain an advantage. Like parking money offshore to avoid or delay paying taxes on it. Rules for one reason "loop-holed" into another reason for an advantage.

Stepping in front of a fast moving offensive player in hopes of drawing an interference call - which is an automatic out - to field a ball hit to you is potentially dangerous to both players.

Intentionally colliding with a defensive player to gain an additional base risks injury to both players.

Now is this smart or dumb? I guess it depends on the outcome. Hindsight is 20-20.

 

I hate to see a runner on second base signaling locations. In mens ball it would result in a fat ball to the ribs of a batter. Seen it result in the same with some girls teams. The hard tag on the runner diving back sends the same message

 

....one of the things that we were taught to do in college was to try to draw obstruction if and when we were caught in a run down.
Theres no bush league in outsmarting your opponent.
Fish

 

In just about any level of baseball, a runner tipping pitches to the batter will get someone drilled at the plate. That's why you don't see it very often and it is considered "bush league".

A hard tag as a deterrent for tipping signs is one way to respond. "Chin music" as a response to the hard tag is escalation, not retaliation.

 

....in baseball tho location tipping would be very very subtle.

 

Having a 95 mph fastball can certainly be a deterrent! I recall a story about Bob Gibson and a runner at second tipping signs. Gibson just stepped off the mound and tapped the side of his head with the ball and the runner got the message. He knew Gibson would put one in his ear if he didn't start minding his manners.