APRIL, 2015 INTERPRETATIONS April 1, 2015 There have been several plays in the last three weeks involving collisions or hard slides for which interpretations have been asked. I want to preface these particular interpretations with that I believe our rules are in pretty good shape, especially regarding these different plays. Umpire judgment is critical in each one. Secondly, a thorough understanding of the NCAA rules is essential for proper adjudication. Using the mechanics that have been discussed at the January meetings, video reviewed on the Arbiter, and taught by our Coordinators, will allow an umpire the opportunity to rule on a play properly. Video training is provided on the Arbiter web site to further assist in proper rule interpretations. It is up to all of us to avail ourselves to see that our umpires fully understand the rules in a specific situation and administer judgment properly. Rule 8-7, Collision The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee is concerned about unnecessary and violent collisions with the catcher at home plate and with fielders at any base. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions when possible. The Committee s intent has always been to protect the catcher (or other fielders) from a collision initiated by a runner when the defensive player has possession of the ball or is in the act of receiving a throw. Interpretation: When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, is in the act of fielding a throw, or has mishandled or dropped a ball while fielding a throw, the umpire shall judge: 1. If the defensive player blocks the plate (or base) or baseline, the runner may make contact, slide into a fielder, as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the plate or base. 2. Contact above the waist that is initiated by a base runner shall not be judged as an attempt to reach the base, Play: Collision when the fielder is in the act of receiving a throw: TCU vs. USC. Video example: pic.twitter.com/r59ifozkvr 1. Does a runner have to slide? No, but the runner should not initiate the contact above the waist. It is; however, a rule that a runner must make a legitimate attempt to reach the base.
Page 2, April, 2015 Interpretations 2. Can a runner be considered to have slid when the contact is made above the defensive player s waist? No the contact above the waist should be ruled flagrant and malicious. 3. In this play, the catcher does not have possession of the ball but is in a legal position in order to receive the throw from the pitcher. a. If the contact occurs before the runner has touched the base, he is out and ejected. b. If the contact is after the runner has touched the base, the run counts and the runner is ejected. 4. The onus has always been on the runner to slide and not make contact above the waist. The rule speaks to a collision that involves a fielder, clearly in possession of the ball, with a base runner. Hopefully, these guidelines will assist in the proper ruling on this type of play. Obstruction the play that started all the discussions: http://louisianastate.scout,com/story/1524842-hale-shines-at-3b-controversy-atthe-plate?=107 A defensive player may block the plate or base when they are in possession of the ball. A defensive player may block the plate or base when in the act of receiving a throw if: The receiving of the direct throw necessitates his movement to catch the direct throw or to position himself so he can receive a ball that is thrown in his direction. The defensive player may not, while awaiting the throw, redirect or reroute the runner, block the base and then receive the throw after having made contact with the runner and then tag the runner. If any of these occur, by rule, which would constitute Obstruction. In the act of receiving is defined as receiving a thrown ball that is on a direct path to the defensive player or moving to catch a throw that is in the direction of the fielder. When a fielder does not have to move to receive a throw, but in fact, does move and contact is initiated by the defensive player before the ball is caught, by rule, the fielder is guilty of Obstruction. This rule is already in place, umpires must make sure they understand it. Consider these points on in the act of fielding 1. Is the ball in flight, directly toward and near enough to the fielder to be easily caught? 2. Is occupying his position to receive the throw.
Page 3, April, 2015 Interpretations 3. The fielder may move to receive an errant throw and if contact occurs and it is not intentional on either player s part, no call should be made. http://www.ksby.com/story/28585261/usc-clinches-series-against-cal-poly-with-9-2-victory (USC vs. Cal Poly) When applying the definition of in the act of fielding. Umpire Judgment is vital. If the flight of a thrown ball does not necessitate a fielder s current position, or any movement into the path of a runner nor cause the fielder to make contact with the runner without possession of the ball, then any action by the fielder is obstruction. Therefore, the fielder is not protected under the, act of fielding rule. IMG_3066 (1) (To review this play) 2-55, A.R. 4 and 8-3, AR, Pickoff On a pickoff play (or back pick), the defensive player must clearly have possession of the pickoff throw (not in the act but must have possession). before contact occurs, that is a result of the fielder blocking any or all of the base with any part of his body. If there is contact between a base runner and a fielder before the fielder has caught the ball, obstruction shall be called. If the fielder has clear possession of the ball before contact is made between the two players, the play is a legal play. 1-12b, Penalty May bat warmers be used during a game? A bat that has been flattened or altered to improve performance is an illegal bat. Bat warmers are considered a form of alteration of a bat and are not legal to use during a contest. Rule 5-2f, A.R. 1, pp. 45-46 (Use of Electronic Equipment) The use of an ipad, or other tablet devices are to be considered electronic equipment and are not allowed in the dugout or on the field for any purpose during a game.
Page 4, April, 2015 Interpretations 5-5g, (1) thru (4), A.R. and 5-5c, A.R. An unannounced substitute becomes a legal substitute when he takes the place of a replaced runner, as a pitcher engages the rubber and the umpire signals play, as a fielder he reaches the position of the replaced defensive player, or as a batter, enters the batter s box. For play situations that involve a pitcher/dh, refer to: 7-2e, Nine Player Lineup and Penalty Once the coach has reached his dugout, the coach may not move the replaced pitcher to a defensive position or have the replaced pitcher remain the DH. However, the new pitcher will replace the old one in whatever capacity he left the game. For example, if he was the P/DH, the new pitcher will become the new P/DH. At the time the coach makes the pitching change, he shall indicate to the plate umpire the playing status of the removed pitcher. To prevent the above from happening, the UIC may ask the coach what the status of his removed pitcher/dh will be. (Preventive Officiating) 5-5j Any action of an ineligible player (withdrawn, disqualified) is invalidated if appealed prior to the next pitch to either team. However, to be a legal appeal, it must be made before the next pitch or play or before the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory. For the basis of this appeal, the catcher is an infielder. 6-2d, (2) and 6-3b Follow-thru contact by the bat with the catcher on the hitter s thru swing: Although this is under the heading of Immediate Dead Ball Runners Return, and 6-2d says, time shall be called and runners return: if the catcher is in the act of throwing in an attempt to retire a runner, the umpire will have a delayed dead ball call until the results of the throw are observed. Point and call, that s interference but leave the ball alive. If the catcher can still make a play, the umpire will let him. If he cannot, the umpire will kill the ball immediately. This is an exception to the Immediate Dead Ball heading.
Page 5, April Interpretations, 2015 6-4d and 8-3k A ball that lodges in an umpire s, or catchers, chest protector is dead and base runners are awarded one base. For the purpose of Lodged Ball, reaching inside the chest protector to retrieve a ball that has stopped falling to the ground is the same as when the catcher or any fielder retrieves a ball that was stuck in the padding on the wall behind the plate or along a fence. When the ball does not drop out immediately, it shall be considered a lodged ball. 7-10 A ball hit, fair or foul, when either one or both of the batter s feet are upon the ground entirely outside the lines of the batter s box or be touching home plate. It is possible that a foot can be touching the inside line of the batter s box line and be on home plate at the same time. In this instance, the batter should be declared out. The key word is or. Penalty: The batter is out. 8-5a, Arkansas at Vandy, Home Plate Baseline (Watch on Hudl or on NCAA site on the Arbiter) A base runner is allowed a 3-foot lane directly to his next base, or last base. Any movement outside that three-foot lane to avoid a tag constitutes out of the base path and the runner should be called out. This path may start beyond a base or plate and returns to the plate when the base runner has passed the plate or base 8-5d A base runner, which is not touching his base, interferes (unintentionally) with a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball that is over foul ground. The ball drops to the ground, uncaught. The base runner is out and the batter is returned to the plate with a strike added to his count. If he had two strikes at the TOP, it just becomes a foul ball. All other runners return to their TOP base. 9-2a, Make an Illegal Quick Pitch. There has been an increase of pitcher s using this technique in late innings with two strikes on the batter. It is a surprise move that catches, not only the batter off guard, sometimes it catches the umpire off guard as well. The move has the pitcher
Page 6, April 2015 Interpretations standing in his normal wind-up position but without starting his arms or stepping back with the free foot, he pushes off the rubber and throws with no preliminary movement. The pitcher shall not: make an illegal or quick pitch with the bases unoccupied; Penalty Warn the pitcher and, unless the batter reaches first base, call a ball. With the bases occupied, call a balk. 9-2c Situation: No runners on base. The count is immaterial. Pitcher, from the wind up position, completes his wind up but stops and does not throw the ball. Since the pitcher has not delivered the ball, there is not a pitch to rule on as an illegal pitch. As long as the pitcher can still legally deliver the ball to the batter within the 20- second time allotment, allow the game to continue. If he violates the 20-second provision, a ball shall be credited to the batter. 9-4, Second Trip to the Mound Game is being played on a neutral facility: A coach visits the mound and makes a pitching change. Once the pitcher begins warming up, the head coach returns to the dugout. After the warm-ups have been concluded and a batter is ready to hit, the coach returns to the mound area bringing a rosin bag. He does not communicate with the pitcher or any defensive player while he brings out the rosin bag. Should these actions be considered a trip? As long as he was not attempting to communicate with a defender, it would be prudent to accompany him to the mound and back or ask him to have the batboy or manager take it out. By the strict letter of the rule, the removal of the first pitcher is not a charged conference. Since this was a new pitcher, the taking of the rosin bag to the mound would constitute a charged conference (if the team has one left) if he communicated to any defender. Otherwise, it should not be charged. Use some good judgment and preventive officiating before you travel down this path. 9-4, A.R. 6 During a free trip, a defensive player may warm-up with another defensive player provided it does not delay the game.
Page 7, April 2015 Interpretations The players warming up must be in the game (current lineup) and both must remain in fair territory during the charged conference. One may squat like a catcher but he cannot have his back to the fans sitting along the respective foul line. A substitute cannot come out of the dugout or bullpen to warm up a defensive player.