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Infield fly rule
ChadTower:
I called this in the last inning of a game once and the coach went BERZERK. It wasn't the third out, but somehow he had it in his head that a shallow fly ball behind second base was going to get his team 2 runs, so he was insane. Screaming at me, yelling, calling me everything he could think of. He was coaching 14 year olds. I had to throw him out of the game and when he continued to harrass me I had to throw him off the field. Had to keep the game stopped until he finally drove away after telling him if he came back while the game was in progress I would forfeit his team and if he came back after I'd call the cops and make a verbal assault complaint. For a few minutes I thought I was going to have to throw down in the middle of a baseball field. The incident was reported to his school and the league office but to my surprise I ran into him coaching the same team in the same league 6 weeks later. No issues that day other than a very uncomfortable lineup submission meeting at home plate.
hypernova:
But why is the fielding team absolved of any responsibility to actually make the catch once the call is made? Sure they have to keep the runners at base, but we've all seen fielders make errors in catching fly balls. This incident was one of them.
IMO, the batter should not be out. The batter should be allowed to reach first, and all runners move up 1 base accordingly. Does anyone have any reasons why it shouldn't be that way? I can't come up with any at the moment.
I don't disagree with the call, as it was the right (albeit late) call. I just think it's the wrong consequence for the rule.
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: hypernova on October 08, 2012, 11:29:03 am ---But why is the fielding team absolved of any responsibility to actually make the catch once the call is made? Sure they have to keep the runners at base, but we've all seen fielders make errors in catching fly balls. This incident was one of them.
--- End quote ---
Because they fake it. In 100 different ways. The guy trips, he loses the ball in the sun on a cloudy day, the guys bump each like stooges, he fakes, he pretends to fake, he hikes the ball and completes a 15 yard out before dropping the baseball, anything. An absolute rule here is the only way to avoid shenanigans. And believe me over the years you see some serious shenanigans in baseball.
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