drop 3rd-no-actually walk?

[Bretman]

It is a recommended mechanic, in a "third strike" situation, for an umpire to clearly announce, "Batter's out, batter's out!", IF the batter starts advancing toward first base when she is not entitled to.

This is NOT a requirement of the rule, and the batter is still out even if the umpire doesn't say anything. But this mechanic can stem off some of the confusion that can occur on these plays.

Beyond that, it is the defense's responsibility to know the situation and to know when not to throw the ball. If they throw it when they don't need to, it's on them. The ball is live and any runners on base are free to advance as they wish. Any runs that score count.

On this one, you had the offensive coach yelling, "Run!" to his own player, which isn't a rule violation. It might be a different story if he had yelled at the catcher to "throw the ball". And, the defensive coach was just as free to yell at his own catcher, "Don't throw it!".

You also have a rule that says it is not interference when a retired batter mistakedly runs when she isn't allowed to. She is specifically exempted from being called for interference for that act alone.

While the umpire might have handled it a little better, there's no rule that says he has to. In a 10U game, the uncaught third strike play will often degenerate into a three-ring circus and, often, you're going to have a less-experienced official calling the game. It's the perfect storm brewing for a controversy!

[Rotatorcuff]

Thanks Bret - you da man!

Very clear, concise explanation. I didn't realize there is no penalty to a batter/runner mistakenly taking off to first base. So, running to 1b on strike two and a runner on third to dupe the catcher into throwing is legal (assuming the batter doesn't get called for 10 second rule).

I would never consider doing this in rec ball but at this level it would probably work well. Actually, there is one team in our league that this might be quite enjoyable.


Nevermind, I reread your post: You clearly said a retired batter - in my example above, she would not be retired yet; but could very well be after the attempted play I described.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Thanks Bret - you da man!

Very clear, concise explanation. I didn't realize there is no penalty to a batter/runner mistakenly taking off to first base. So, running to 1b on strike two and a runner on third to dupe the catcher into throwing is legal (assuming the batter doesn't get called for 10 second rule).

I would never consider doing this in rec ball but at this level it would probably work well. Actually, there is one team in our league that this might be quite enjoyable.


Nevermind, I reread your post: You clearly said a retired batter - in my example above, she would not be retired yet; but could very well be after the attempted play I described.

No Ro-tator ... you Da man ... Teaching young players how to cheat before it's too late ...

[Rotatorcuff]

whoa! not sure how to respond to this:

I hope you were joking. If so, hahaha, lol,
I don't teach kids to cheat.

If you're accusing you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[GIMNEPIWO]

whoa! not sure how to respond to this:

I hope you were joking. If so, hahaha, lol,
I don't teach kids to cheat.

If you're accusing you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

Well ... no, I wasn't really joking, but it is most likely not 'cheating' either ( been a wee bit grumpy lately ) ... I'm just not so sure that instructing players to take off for first base at innappropriate times, trying to dupe a catcher into a DMC on a D3K & throwing the ball is in the best interest of 10U ball players ... I suppose one could argue that this would be no different than a fake steal trying to draw a throw to score a run ... but that is a stretch ...