This is local high school ball so I'm not surprised. This happens in the last inning of the game. It's a dropped 3rd in foul territory, the 1st baseman sets up in foul territory using the safety base. The catcher's throw is a little off line and comes in right over the runner's shoulder. The 1st baseman catches the throw and is hit hard by the runner. Ball pops out, runner is safe. Luckily no one was hurt. I am not happy about the contact because I think the runner could have avoided the 1st baseman. After the inning is over the 1st baseman comes in and says that the base coach told her that 'a good 1st baseman would not have set up in the runner's path'. This snarky comment tells me that he doesn't know the safety base rules, so that means the runner probably doesn't either and that's why there was contact, the runner was heading for the safety base. I know the runner can use either base, but since she had the ability to avoid the contact can she be called out or is it 'just the way the ball bounces'? Or is the 1st baseman guilty of obstruction?
Dropped 3rd: Safety Base
- Thread starter ArmWhip
- Start date
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The runner should have switched to the white base, without seeing it don't know for sure but probably should have been a violation by runner
Now a question about the safety base? I realize the game you played was on a field that had a safety base, but NFHS only uses it by state adoption. Does your state use the safety base adoption? Our state does not and if games are played on multi use fields the colored base is ignored.
Now a question about the safety base? I realize the game you played was on a field that had a safety base, but NFHS only uses it by state adoption. Does your state use the safety base adoption? Our state does not and if games are played on multi use fields the colored base is ignored.
I have always played with a safety, I've coached high school in two states so I guess they both required it.
- Jan 22, 2011
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Interesting. As a newer HS umpire in California, not all schools use it. I assume because it's not required, but I assumed if it was there, all safety base rules were applicable.
- Jan 22, 2011
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As a coach I always assumed it was allowed, but not mandatory. Some schools have it others do not. My DD’s school added it last year. I only started umpiring high school last year. I guess I need to do some searching and if I can’t find anything, email the CIF rules interpreter.
Yes I would verify with your state association. They may or may not allow it as an option. I just know in our state it was not adopted and when games were played on dual use fields it is ignored. I don't remember a single school that had double bases but sometimes games were played at city parks that did, usually tournaments.
- Mar 1, 2013
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I have seen coaches around here instructing (and practicing) that F3 sets up in foul territory on a D3K and F2 always throws to there. Honestly, if the BR is running properly in the designated lane, and gets hit, that's on the defense.
That said, the side effect always seems to be that the BR sees them set up in foul territory and runs inside the line in fair territory. I've never seen a collision in this situation.
As Comp said, would have to see it, but I probably have a violation on the BR for initiating the contact.
That said, the side effect always seems to be that the BR sees them set up in foul territory and runs inside the line in fair territory. I've never seen a collision in this situation.
As Comp said, would have to see it, but I probably have a violation on the BR for initiating the contact.
All schools in our JH/HS conference utilize the safety base. DD's HS coaches practice F3 to setup based on two main factors....which side of the foul line the ball is dropped/picked up and what lane the runner has chosen. Then F3 essentially screams "inside" or "outside" so the catcher knows where to adjust and throw to. Doesn't work 10/10 because.....kids. Though I would say it works more often than not.
The JH team had a game last week where a bunt (that stopped rolling right on the 1B line) was picked up by the catcher and thrown over the runner (who was running in foul territory, but just barely). The throw pulled F3 to the safety bag side. Runner didn't have time to see F3 adjust to the throw and resulted in a collision. The runner took the worst of it. Luckily, both are okay. It wasn't anything nefarious. F3 had setup on the fair side and runner took a path to the safety bag side. It was the poor throw that essentially caused the collision. I honestly can't remember the call on the field whether the runner was safe or out. Excluding the collision, the runner would have been out anyways.
The JH team had a game last week where a bunt (that stopped rolling right on the 1B line) was picked up by the catcher and thrown over the runner (who was running in foul territory, but just barely). The throw pulled F3 to the safety bag side. Runner didn't have time to see F3 adjust to the throw and resulted in a collision. The runner took the worst of it. Luckily, both are okay. It wasn't anything nefarious. F3 had setup on the fair side and runner took a path to the safety bag side. It was the poor throw that essentially caused the collision. I honestly can't remember the call on the field whether the runner was safe or out. Excluding the collision, the runner would have been out anyways.
You're wrong about this one. The rules specifically say that on a ball in foul territory on dropped third, the 1B can use the safety base. This is correct teaching to have the 1B go to the foul territory side to give the catcher a lane to throw. The batter-runner has to adjust. This is not on the defense at all.
This play sounds like interference, though with any calls like this you need to be there/have video to be sure. But the 1B is legally positioned, and the runner crashed into her, which is not allowed by rule.
