Not just bad calls, but OUTRAGEOUS. Post 'em here

No I used the right one!

 

....there is the problem with some umps--they should remain an impartial,unemotional rules enforcer---no ump should get pleasure from an ejection---I know you are all human,just as we are when we question your calls.

 

How about a N.C. high school game where the runner tags up at 3rd on a fly ball out to LF and runs toward home plate. The Left fielder makes a perfect throw to the catcher to get the runner thrown out. But the runner bull dozes the catcher without even attempting to slide and the ball comes out.

Shouldn't the runner be called out due to not attempting to slide??

 

From the HS rulebook

Rule 8-4-2b-2: Runners are never reguired to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be a legal slide.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

I did not realize that you do not have to slide in N.C. high school baseball. Does this rule just apply to home plate or any base?

 

You DO have to slide

You do have to slide on a force play, but a tag play you don't...

In 1998 the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) issued in their "NFHS Rules Changes Affecting Risk" the following requirement that says (and this is copied directly):

"On a force play, the runner shall slide on the ground in a direct line between two bases, or away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder."

Odd that they do not address the non-force out play like a tag on a fly ball....

Of course, the Malicious Contact rule always applies:
Malicious contact: A runner may not make malicious contact with a fielder, whether the fielder is in or out of the base path, or whether he has or doesn't have the ball. Penalty: Interference: The ball is dead, the runner is out, and other runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference. If the interference prevented a double play, the umpire will award the second out.

 

Slide away if you want....

Like I said from the rule book runners are never required to slide BUT on a force play it does make the distinction on how you must slide for it to be legal OTHERWISE the runner will be called out for interference.

 

Force play slide at any base

The not required to slide rule applies to any base BUT on a force play you better slide legally or risk being called out for interference.

 

Collisions

Most of the time when you see a collision in the baseline near home plate it is nothing but an accidental train wreck. All it takes is a runner heading for home and the incoming throw drawing the catcher a couple of steps up the line right into the path of the runner. When this happens all at the same time there is nothing anyone can do to avoid some contact. Therefore you have to let it play out and see what the outcome is as to one of the following:

1) a runner tagged out
2) a runner safe on a dropped ball
3) malicious contact (forearm or lowered shoulder) wheras runner would be called out and ejected from the game.

Interference by the runner OR obstruction by the catcher are not clear cut in these collisions. Hope this helps to understand these type of plays that always get the fans bent out of shape!

 

What about at 2nd or 3rd?

I appreciate your going to great lengths to educate us. It does help.

How about when a 3B coach yells "break up the double". Then the runner from first slides wide of the bag into the player. I just assumed that it was just baseball. If I understand correctly, the runner could be called out for interference? The intent was stated by the 3B coach. The runner did as instructed. He should be called out along with the batter running to 1st on the play? Again this would be the umpires discretion?