When a Home Run is an out?

[default]

Question: Girl hits a home run over the fence. As she jogs around the bases the coaches give her a high five. As she is jogging around 3rd heading for home some of her teammates who came out of the dugout give her a high five also. Umpire calls her out because of interference/obstruction or something. I've heard both it was right and it was wrong.

 

[default]

NSA rules a base runner is out: "When anyone, other than the baserunner, physically assist a baserunner while the ball is in play' In the case of a home run over the fence - is the ball in play? Does a "high five" assist a runner? The runner should not be called out.

 

[default]

Obviously, this is a job for Bretman, but I think Silver11 has it right.

While it may (or may not) "technically" be illegal to make contact with the runner, it would be nearly criminal to make a call like that in that described situation.

 

[default]

Does this umpire also call illegal pitches on replanting pitchers? Just another dweeb who likes to be on stage. This is NOT the spirit of the rule. Where do these guys learn this junk??

 

[default]

A high five does not physically assist a runner. Anyone who has even remotely familiar with the game would not call the batter/runner out on this.

 

[default]

Joe,

Nice response, however a homerun is actual a dead ball event due to the ball no longer being in play. all runners advance without risk!

Therefore coaches may high 5 etc. It just does not matter. Anybody doubt that you can see it during the next MLB HR or if you tape the NCAA Championships you can it it there.

Good Luck! Everyone and don't forget to get pumped up at the next HR Shot.

PS Remember its only a dead ball if its out of the park! Do Not Attempt to touch runners on the in the park shots LOL.

 

[default]

[imo all players should stay back until runner steps on plate and NO banging on or jumping on runner...

 

[default]

Another example of the umpire being the focus of the game. Jeez. When the ball is out of the park, where in the heck is assistance needed?

 

[default]

Not an umpire, obviously, and I understand that this is a dead ball when over the fence, but there is STILL "some" risk isn't there? What if a runner misses a base, and returns to the dugout, showers, leaves the park? Can an appeal be made on the missed base, "extreme" example : notwithstanding? I thought baseball players for example go out of their way to avoid celebrations as much as necessary to be SURE that they touch home plate for example (especially in walk-off situations), while the Ump is watching carefully? It would still be rotten to have to make that call regardless, but just curious about the rule "technically, as well as "practically" ... (would an Ump dare call that)??

Here's a concept - Bottom of last inning, tie game, winning run on 3rd base, 2 outs, runner on 1st base also. Was in this situation once with winning run on 3rd base in bottom of last inning in a league championship title game, 2 outs, I was on first base. First base coach reminded me to make sure I get my buns to 2nd base on a game winning hit, rather than to start celebrating championship. In that case, even a ball hit to the fence in which the winning run scores way before ball is retrieved is still just simply a "force out" at 2nd base "if" you do not advance to the base, ... and drum roll ... the RUN COMES OFF THE BOARD :-? ... and "goat horns" :-[ pop out of head. What an embarrassing concept that would be?? - and if not reminded by a smart 1st base coach I might have made that mistake, as we did get the needed GW hit.

 

[default]

Not an umpire, obviously, and I understand that this is a dead ball when over the fence, but there is STILL "some" risk isn't there? What if a runner misses a base, and returns to the dugout, showers, leaves the park? Can an appeal be made on the missed base, "extreme" example : notwithstanding? ... (would an Ump dare call that)??
...

Saw it called in a high school game. Runner trotted around the bases and cut one short, defense appealed... batter/runner was out. Can't remember if it cost them the game or not though.

 

[default]

Does anybody remember when Mark Mcguire hit #62? He missed first base, and the base coach grabbed him and told him to come back. Imagine if that would have been called an out!! That ball might be worth more than the HR ball that would have eventually broke the record!!

I agree, this is just a case where the ump wants to be on stage and be the show himself. Those guys gotta go!!

 

[default]

this is a little Lalli (sorry mom, couldn't resist ;D)

the rule may be weird, but its the rule. we've always been taught to not touch the batter/runner til she's touched home plate.

that's how it works in NCAA too.
at school we line up down the first baseline as the batter/runner's rounding third. she makes a second trip to first base to receive congrats...

 

[default]

I totally agree with Johnnies---as long as the runner hits every base, she should not be called out. ?Hitting it over the fence is still a big deal (even as the girls get older and bats get better) and there's nothing wrong with a little jubilation. ?

 

[default]

Good topic. I'm just getting home from a long vacation and trying to catch up on some posting. ?

This is a good example of a common rule myth- that a runner circling the bases and high-fiving a coach is an out for "assiting the runner". The umpire obviously has bought into the rule myth, as any trained, experienced umpire would not make this call.

The reasons why this was NOT the right call:

- A coach physically assiting the runner is a LIVE ball infraction. The ball is dead on the home run. While some infractions by the runner can be called on a dead ball- such as missing a base, noted above- this one cannot.

When the ball is dead a coach could legally pick up the runner and carry her around the bases. The McGuire home run is a good example of a coach physically assiting the runner, but it not being an infraction as the ball is dead.

- A high five does not constitute "assisting the runner", even during a live ball. The coach needs to grab, push, hold onto or pick-up the runner to either stop her from advancing or to help her get to the base.

This is a point covered in most umpire training classes.

On touching by other teammates, as the runner crosses the plate, there is nothing against this in either ASA or FED rules. NCAA rules do specifically forbid it, and that is the only rule set I'm aware of that has this rule in place.

And, on the runner touching all bases on a home run, the rules require all base runners to touch all bases in a legal manner, even awarded bases following an over throw, a base-on-balls or a home run. If they do not, they are subject to appeal by the defense for an out.