At issue today are two rules, A7 & C5. I’ve already seen misinterpretations of both of these rules in two games of my own, another where I was filling in as well as receiving (3) emails from games I didn’t see over the last week regarding these same two rules… So it’s time to clarify them some more.
First we’ll deal with the easier of the two which is Rule A7, this rule previously read;
All overthrows on the bases warrant (1) extra base. The ball is ruled dead and no play will follow.
Lines have been added and the rule now reads;
All overthrows on the bases warrant (1) extra base. The ball is ruled dead and no play will follow. Overthrows are defined as a throw that’s “airmailed” to a base heading off into foul territory at least 15 feet beyond fair territory. Thus, overthrows that merely reach the grass beyond 1st and 3rd base do not automatically award the baserunner an extra base.
To get to the 15 foot number I laid a tape measure out and determined a distance I feel that within… the defensive player still has a reasonable chance at making a play on an advancing runner. Beyond that, advancement is automatic. This now more clearly defines the spirit of the rule.
Second on the agenda is Rule C5, which previously read;
Rule Concerning Plays at Bases; The defensive teams fielders must concede any base to the runner if there is no play imminent, he/she must also avoid any unnecessary contact. If a play at any given base IS a possibility then the defensive player has the right to position themselves at the base to make a play and any incoming runners should avoid all unnecessary (or intentional) contact. Sliding, assuming the slide doesn’t cause an unnecessary collision in itself, is often the best possible way to remove all doubt as to whether interference occured, slide… and you didn’t interfere. The EXCEPTION to this rule is at 1st Base where the runner’s intent is to run ‘through’ the base and sometimes in an attempt to receive a cross-infield throw, a 1st Baseman is drawn into the basepath of the oncoming runner. As this dual-instinct is impossible to author a rule against, both fielder and runner should exercise self-preservation to the best of their ability. No interference should be called at 1st base.
This one is a bit trickier… the spirit or essence of the rule is that collisions, intentional or otherwise, are NOT allowed. That said, these other factors must be taken into consideration; (a) there will be plays at bases, the defensive player has the right to attempt a play and the offensive player has the right to attempt to reach safely. (b) Players cannot be mandated to slide, we removed that from the rules 2 or 3 years ago as an unfair requirement. And (c), as are the rules of baseball at most levels, the defensive player must retain possession of the ball to record an out… So here’s how the rule has been changed to read;
Rule Concerning Plays at Bases; The defensive teams fielders must concede any base to the runner if there is no play imminent. If a play at any given base IS a possibility then the defensive player has the right to position themselves at the base to make a play and any incoming runner has the right to attempt to reach the base safely, however; head-on collisions or any attempt by the baserunner to knock the ball free from the defensive players hands are NOT allowed and will result in the baserunner being called out. Contact that is glancing or sideswiping however, IS permitted under the rules and in this second circumstance, the defensive player must retain possession of the ball to record an out. Sliding is often the best possible way to remove all doubt as to whether interference occurred… Slide, and you didn’t interfere.
An EXCEPTION to this rule is at 1st Base where the runner’s intent is to run ‘through’ the base and sometimes in an attempt to receive a cross-infield throw, a 1st Baseman is drawn into the basepath of the oncoming runner. As this dual-instinct is impossible to author a rule against, both fielder and runner should exercise self-preservation to the best of their ability. No interference should be called at 1st base.
So as the rule is now written, what is at issue on the field is whether or not there was a collision on any given play… and for a smaller percentage of those plays, whether or not a runner intentionally tried to knock a ball out of a defensive players hands… beyond that, everything else is legal.
In reality, it’s truly difficult to mitigate a play at the plate, or at any base for that matter…. no matter how much “in social mode” any team might be in for any given game, we’re still playing baseball and certain plays in baseball involve contact. My advice would be that if you’re adverse to this contact, don’t put yourself in that situation in the first place. Playing 1st base for my own team, where our catcher is not really interested in any contact, I’m always the one covering home for plays at the plate.
IMPORTANT > This sort of post was exactly why I’ve wanted to switch to this new blog-style format for a while. The rules in question here have already been changed… but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be changed again if one of you were to offer up an unthought of idea, something that’s been overlooked, a more succinct wording, etc. Use the comment box below to post your thoughts…
In the meantime, the web as well as the printable version of the rules have updated… these rule updates are in effect for all games moving forward… feel free to print out a fresh copy for your bat bags.
