Most definitely bush league if it’s a practiced play. Always telling the girls to never trust the scoreboard. I am just impressed all 3 girls were on the same page.
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I knew there wasn’t an issue when just 1 player didn’t know the count. Either the runner advances or the batter runs out of the box but this was a first where everyone was somehow on the same page and the runners advanced and the batter ran out the box. I guess the defensive coach only has the scoreboard operator to blame for having the wrong count up.
. And I would guess the only real issue would arise if the batter interfered with the catchers throw when crossing in front of the plate.
Lesson 1: Never trust the scoreboard.
This type of thing happens fairly often (2-3 times a year) in our 13u league. It's 13u rec with lots of new or basically new players.
I would never coach this to happen, but if our girl does it when we're on offense, my coaching is "go back go back go back AHHHHH OK RUN RUN RUN" once it's apparent we might get a stolen base out of the situation.
If it happens to us on defense, it's an opportunity to remind players they always need to know the count and game situation. "Know your job. Do your job. Don't let someone else's mistake cause you to make one."
This type of thing happens fairly often (2-3 times a year) in our 13u league. It's 13u rec with lots of new or basically new players.
I would never coach this to happen, but if our girl does it when we're on offense, my coaching is "go back go back go back AHHHHH OK RUN RUN RUN" once it's apparent we might get a stolen base out of the situation.
If it happens to us on defense, it's an opportunity to remind players they always need to know the count and game situation. "Know your job. Do your job. Don't let someone else's mistake cause you to make one."
- Jul 31, 2019
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Bush league yes, unsportsmanlike no way. Runners advance with SB, batter returns to finish the at bat.
- May 29, 2015
- 3,813
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Unsportsmanlike? If it is being taught and deliberately run, definitely.
- Jul 31, 2019
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So is the old trick play where the catcher comes out like she’s throwing to second base but throws hard back to the pitcher (with a runner on 2nd base), and the SS, 2nd baseman and CF act like the ball went through and into the OF. Baserunner thinks it’s in the IF and takes off to 3B only to be easily thrown out by the pitcher. Is that unsportsmanlike?
- May 29, 2015
- 3,813
- 113
If the SS or 2B fake a tag during that, it is obstruction.
I am sure opinions may vary on this, but I would venture to say it isn't great sportsmanship, but I wouldn't put it at unsportsmanlike. Throwing the ball away is within the purview of the game. A batter intentionally trying to draw a play when they have no legal right to run is not.
Why even send the batter to the box? Why not just have her run straight from the on-deck circle to second base?
I won't use terms like deceive or fool ... as somebody will say a curveball is meant to fool or deceive the batter ... I will apply the standard of "is it reasonable within the spirit of the game?"
- Jul 31, 2019
- 495
- 43
Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting the tactic, I just don't believe there is a rule that would provide the umpire the ability to return the runners.
- Jul 31, 2019
- 495
- 43
There are no fake tags, everyone just reacts like the ball was overthrown into the OF. I've seen it done twice, one time it worked, the other it did not. BTW, it was not me running it either.
