tag? call please.

runner dives head first back to the bag, hand is there before the ball.

baseman swipe tags hard enough to knock the hand off the bag.

whats the call??

 

A swipe tag can be a difficult thing to call. Depends on the umpire's angle as to what he saw.

While I can agree with the ruckus that would ensue if the defense were allowed to openly use such tactics... can you find it prohibited in the rulebook?

 

Maybe not specifically addressed but wouldnt it fall under obstruction rules?
I might have to give an "unsportsmanlike" on intentionally pushing a runner off a bag.

 

Reading my mind? Before I posted, I skimmed through an ASA and a NFHS rulebook. I specifically checked obstruction and as I read the rule, no, I can't get obstruction out of that action. The NFHS description of obstruction:

USC, though... that's probably what I'd recommend for a blatant push. But I can't picture calling USC for a swipe tag as described by the OP.

 

I think you would have to be right on top the play to see what effort was used to "swipe" away the hand in order to squeeze the USC out. But it may be all you have. I think you would know in your gut what the intent was.

If indeed it was USC, what would the remedy be? Other than a safe call, would it warrant ejection or simply a warning?

 

If the tag was not an intent to move the runner off the base then the umpire should give at least two safe signals while verbally saying "SAFE, SAFE, the runner was pushed off the base.

If this was the only runner, play becomes relaxed or the fielders action were intentional then "TIME" should be called imediately when the runner is moved off the base.

If questioned the correct response should be the runner was not tagged while off the base, but while s/he was on the base and the fielder caused him/her to come off the base.

If the fielders actions were an intent to move the runner off the base then, if there is doubt of intent the fielder should be warned, if there was clearly intent then an ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct would not be unreasonable.

The rule book has a few unresolved rulings such as, but not limited to a third strike pitch that hits the ground before the batter foul tips it into the catcher's mitt, and an uncaught third strike that goes out of play.

As umpires we have to use common sense and fair play to rule on such plays and I believe your better umpires would agree.


Hope this helps