HS base running rules Question

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Batter/Runner bunts the ball about a foot inside first base line. The 1st baseman attempting to field the ball has to go around the B/R who is running on the inside of the 1st base line to field the ball. Interferance or not?

 

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I'm going to venture to say yes if they were at the running lane, no if before it...

 

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How far down the line is this occurring?

 

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Im looking at the tape and they are about half way.

 

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The three-foot running lane isn't really a factor on this play. The running lane rule only applies to a runner interfering with a fielder positioned at first base and taking a throw.

If F3 was in the act of fielding the batted ball and had to hesitate or alter her path to the ball due to the batter-runner's position, then that is interference. The fielder has the right of way on this play and the batter-runner is obligated to do whatever she has to do to give the fielder room to make the play.

The batter-runner has the option of stopping, slowing down, retreating or going around the fielder to avoid her. She is not confined to the running lane and may leave it as to not interfere with a fielder who is fielding the ball.

If she does go out around the fielder, once the fielder has the ball and is making a throw to first from behind the runner, then the running lane rule would be in effect and the runner would need to get back in the lane to avoid interfering with the throw or the fielder receiving the throw at first base. Up until that point, the running lane essentially does not exist.

 

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The batter-runner has the option of stopping, slowing down, retreating or going around the fielder to avoid her. She is not confined to the running lane and may leave it as to not interfere with a fielder who is fielding the ball.

the batter cant retreat, because if they even take one step back to home they are out.

 

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Thanks Bretman. Just wanted to make sure it wasnt another one of Ohio's crazy rules like not having to slide. Do all the Umpires go to the same school or make it up as they go? It's just another case of out coaching the umpire, run on the inside of the line and let them make the call. Good coaching poor officiating.

 

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the batter cant retreat, because if they even take one step back to home they are out.

I purposely put "retreat" in there as an option and wondered if anyone would catch that!

A batter-runner is out if she retreats back toward home plate ONLY if she does so to avoid or delay a tag. To have a tag, you must have a fielder in possession of the ball who is attempting to touch the runner.

Since this play had a fielder in the act of fielding the ball, it is safe to assume that the fielder did not yet have possession of the ball. Up until the point that the fielder has the ball and is attempting a tag, the B/R may step back toward home.

Once the fielder has gained secure possession of the ball and is attempting a tag, the B/R is out if she retreats backwards or deviates more than three feet from her basepath to avoid the tag. But none of that applies when the fielder does not yet have the ball!

 

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Just wanted to make sure it wasnt another one of Ohio's crazy rules like not having to slide. Do all the Umpires go to the same school or make it up as they go?

That's not one of "Ohio's crazy rules". Runners are never required to slide under any rules for any national governing body, be it baseball or softball. In some situations, runners are required to avoid contact with a fielder. Executing a legal slide is one method of avoiding contact, but it is never required- not in ASA, NSA, USSSA, high school, etc.

One the second question, I'll just say...no.

 

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But some Recreation Associations have the no slide rule, if the girls aren't wearing a slider or sliding shorts, just to protect them as individuals from getting torn up....

 

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Yes, local leagues will often come up with their own rules in regard to sliding. Some might prohibit slides, some might require them. Those rules are just that- local rules. The standard rules of softball never require a runner to slide.

This is personal opinion, but my feeling is that the standard rules to avoid contact- if the coaches are teaching the players their responsibilities on such plays, and the players are abiding by those rules, and the umpires understand how to enforce them- provide a good balance of fairness to both the offense and defense and work best to prevent collisions and injuries.

For those leagues that add special rules requiring players to slide, in the name of "safety", I will point out that more injuries are documented due to sliding than any other baseball or softball related activity. More than batters being hit by pitches, more than fielders being hit by batted balls and more than collisions between players.

 

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Thank you again. This is why people often get so angry at games. No consistency at any level not just HS. I try not to get upset the NFL cant get it right and they use replay. I can assure you people who read the no slide rule at any level or what ever are counting the times they been call out for not. OK, Im ready to sign-up for the next Umpire School where is it at?

 

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Brettman another good call!!! I don't know how many times I've heard coaches and fans try to invoke the mythical "she has to slide" rule.

 

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Brettman another good call!!! I don't know how many times I've heard coaches and fans try to invoke the mythical "she has to slide" rule.

At least as many times as you hear that "the hands are part of the bat", that a foul tip is a dead ball, that a pitch hitting the ground can't result in a hit batter, that a batted ball hitting the plate is a foul ball, that runner's rounding first have to keep heading to second base and can't go back, that an appeal for a running leaving early on a catch is a "force out", that a batter can't switch to the other side of the plate with two strikes, that a pitcher is required to "present the ball", that runners can't advance on an infield fly....the list of softball rule myths is a long one!