Rule Question- Coaches in Coaching Box

[oiler_pride]

What is the rule on coaches getting out of the way while in the coaching box?

Example: 3b coach is in coaches box, ball hit high in the air maybe or maybe not going foul, can the coach just stay still and hold his ground in the box? If so, what if the 3b or SS has to go in front/behind to make a play on the ball or even makes contact with him going for the ball while coach is in the box?

I cant find actual language on this. Little help

 

[coachjwb]

We obviously need Bretman on this ... but I want to guess and see if I'm right! I think the coach is protected as long as they stay in the box and don't move into the path of the fielder and/or directly try to interfere with the catch ... and if they move out of the box, that they could be called for interference/obstruction based on the judgment of the umpire.

I personally always tried to get out of the way if I could and move out of the box if I thought that was the best way to do that, but there were a couple of times over the years where it was too close and was afraid I might interfere and so I just stayed put. Never got warned or called on it ...

 

[oiler_pride]

Let me add to it.. Very sunny day(of course not in Ohio) and when coach looked up to find the ball all he saw was the sun. So he just stood still and covered his head.

 

[coachjwb]

Ha ... have been there (even once or twice in Ohio!), and that's exactly what I have done. To me, if you're in the box in that situation, you should be safe .. now if you're out of the box and interfere with the catch, I'm guessing they are going to award the out to the defense, but probably let you keep coaching.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

this is from NSA (only because I happend to have that open on my computer)
Rule 7 Section 5
Members of the team at bat shall not interfere, either physically or vocally, with
a player attempting to field either a fair or foul ball. This includes a base
coach.

Rule 8 Section 8 The base runner is out:
r) If a coach intentionally interferes with a thrown ball.

I believe its similer to the batter in the batters box, If the Coach stays still in the box they will not have interfered - I assume they do need to make an effort to avoid the fielder though.

 

[backstop09]

NFHS Rule 7.4.12 - Batter is out when - "...Any coach or member of the offensive team, other than a runner, interferes with a fielder attempting to field a foul fly ball..."

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Could you define interfering? Standing in box, still, hands protecting head in my mind does not mean interference.....running out of box not knowing where ball is in air and disrupting fielder would in my own mind.

Send up the Brett Beam......

 

[BretMan2]

The coaching boxes aren't a safe haven. Their only real function is to define where a coach has to stand prior to the pitch being released. After that, the boxes essentially don't exist and there are no other rules pertaining to them. Coaches are free to leave the box, for instance, to direct their runners.

On a batted ball, the coaches in these boxes must vacate ANY area needed by the defense to field the ball. Just being inside the box doesn't prevent them from being called for interference. So, just "standing still" doesn't work, if the spot where they're standing in just happens to be the spot where the fielder is going after the ball! Coaches MUST get out of the way. If they fail to, and their presence or position impedes the fielder, it is interference.

 

[Simpsoj]

I've only had to call it a few times in 28+yrs........but you are correct! Find the ball or watch the fielder and get the heck outta their way!

 

[oiler_pride]

As expected, Great response Bretman! Great clarification. Thank You

 

[coachjwb]

Any difference on a thrown ball? Let's say a runner on 1B, base hit to CF ... runner advancing to 3B on the throw ... ball comes in from the outfield, bounces and hits the base coach (in or out of the box), and ricochets down towards left field allowing runner to score ... any recourse for interference there?

 

[BretMan2]

On a thrown ball, any contact with the ball must be judged as intentional for it to be interference. In other words, if the ball accidentally hits the coach there's no penalty. Live ball, play on, get what you get.

 

[Simpsoj]

Could you define interfering? Standing in box, still, hands protecting head in my mind does not mean interference.....running out of box not knowing where ball is in air and disrupting fielder would in my own mind.

Send up the Brett Beam......

Not a direct from the book but.......interference would be called at any point an offensive player impedes/restricts/prevents a defensive player from making a play on the ball. So, if someone is simply standing in the coaches box and the defensive player bumps/collides/brushes or simply cannot make a play due to their positioning (JUDGEMENT CALL!) it is interference and a dead-ball is called along with an out.

Since Brett is out there........I would be curious about additional outs, in his opinion. In some situations not only would the batter be out but the runner closest to home may be out as well. My question would be since it's a foul ball what would the ruling be of other runners are on base?

 

[backstop09]

Could you define interfering? Standing in box, still, hands protecting head in my mind does not mean interference.....running out of box not knowing where ball is in air and disrupting fielder would in my own mind.

Send up the Brett Beam......

OK then, don't read the rule. Do it your way and see how far that gets you.

 

[backstop09]

Not a direct from the book but.......interference would be called at any point an offensive player impedes/restricts/prevents a defensive player from making a play on the ball. So, if someone is simply standing in the coaches box and the defensive player bumps/collides/brushes or simply cannot make a play due to their positioning (JUDGEMENT CALL!) it is interference and a dead-ball is called along with an out.

Since Brett is out there........I would be curious about additional outs, in his opinion. In some situations not only would the batter be out but the runner closest to home may be out as well. My question would be since it's a foul ball what would the ruling be of other runners are on base?

No "additional" outs. Immediate dead ball and everyone stays at their base.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

OK then, don't read the rule. Do it your way and see how far that gets you.

That was a real question of interpretation is all , hence that's why the Brett request just because a rule is written many of them are how one interprets them, especiallyin this sport sort of like the dress last year was it blue or gold......

 

[poden-smoden]

That was a real question of interpretation is all , hence that's why the Brett request just because a rule is written many of them are how one interprets them, especiallyin this sport sort of like the dress last year was it blue or gold......

It was Blue!

 

[CoachB25]

So, last night, we were playing and I was in the coaching box on a foul ball. I could not see it so announced loudly, "I can't see the ball." I then covered my head. The fielder ran around me and didn't get to the ball. On the way back, the fielder mentioned to me that she could not see the ball but was running to where she thought it was going to be. The plate umpire came out and had a discussion with the base umpire. Ironically, the base umpire could not see the ball. So, no call. Still, what you are saying is that I could have been called for interference when I had no intent to block anyone and didn't know what direction to move. That's tough for the coach.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

Coaches naturally want to watch the ball, however they're better off looking at the fielder(s) and staying out of their way.

 

[FastBat]

To all the base coaches, stop trying to catch batted balls in games and/or scrimmages. Instead practice getting out of the way of the player trying to make the play! When I see a coach trying to catch the ball during the game, it's obvious they don't know the rules.