Picture perfect evening at A Diamond . Steve Rychcik making his first start ever for the Twins while the Dodgers went with veteran Jim Tesoriero. Both pitchers were gliding along with a 0-0 score entering the fifth and only three hits in the game. With one out in the top of the fifth, Jim Bradley gets to first on a Twins infield error. Greg Gougler, singles. Twins first baseman Joe Parker makes a diving stop of a Steve Jiampetti grounder and flips the ball to Rychcik who came over to cover for the second out of the inning. Don Ball comes up with two outs and proceeds to hit a big single, knocking Bradley home making it 1-0 Dodgers. Bottom of the fifth Rychcik comes up with one out and singles then quickly proceeds to steal second. Craig Tynan singles Rychcik home, and the inning ends tied 1-1. Top of the sixth John Weber leads off with a single for the Dodgers. Up comes Joe Kosek who tattoos a line drive to pitcher Rychcik. Rychcik makes the catch and doubles Weber off first and quickly there are two outs. Brendon Hogan then singles but the Twins weasel out of it as Rychcik strikes out the next batterlooking. Bottom of the sixth the Twins go down in order on three grounders 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Top of the seventh Dennis Lane opens for the Dodgers with a single followed by Pat Alston, who reaches first on another Twins infield error. Jim Bradley flies out and up comes Greg Gougler, who was already 2 for 2. Gougler flies out to deep deep centerfield as Jeff Whitehead makes a fine catch.Steve Jiampetti hits a slow roller to the first baseman and that ball was booted. Now the bases are loaded with two outs and the go ahead run at third base. Rychcik knuckles down and was able to induce a grounder as the third out was recorded as a fielders choice. Bottom of the seventh Joe Parker leads off and works a walk. Pitching change. John Weber relieves Tesoriero. Greg Briscoe hits an infield single. The decision was made to walk Rychcik thereby loading the bases with no outs. Jim Tino hits a medium speed bouncing grounder to the right of the first baseman who fields it cleanly and makes the throw home on one bounce, but the run scores and the game was over just like that. Twins come away with the win, 2-1. Excellent pitching throughout the game for both teams. Tesoriero threw 6 innings giving up 4 hits, issuing 4 walks, and struck out 6. Rychick picked up a complete game victory pitching seven innings, giving up 5 hits, walking 1, and striking out 4. Greg Gougler led the Dodgers offense with two hits. The Twins had five hits, all singles by Tynan, Tino, Rychcik, Briscoe, and Koutsakis.
-- Edited by crowbait on Saturday 1st of June 2024 10:37:50 AM
-- Edited by crowbait on Saturday 1st of June 2024 11:19:32 AM
-- Edited by crowbait on Saturday 1st of June 2024 11:21:02 AM
The Twins got younger and better and beat the Dodgers in a very well-played game. I do not want my following question to detract from the quality of their team.
The last play of the game was made at home plate. I was the catcher. Bases loaded, no outs. Ground ball to 1B. I stood up and had my right foot on the plate. My left foot was in the field of play. I thought my left foot was in the direction of the mound. The runner told me later that my left leg was blocking the plate (and he might be right), The throw from 1B bounced in front of me. As I bent down to catch the ball, the runner collided with me. He did not slide. It was not a nasty collision. The runner was just trying to touch the plate and at least one of my legs was in his way. Having said that, the rule is pretty clear. The runner either has to slide or run in the other direction to avoid contact.
The umpire called interference on me for blocking the plate.
The outcome of the game is final. The Twins won 2 - 1. I'm just hoping to sleep better at night! So, was there interference on the play? If so, on who? The runner or the catcher?
(I will apologize to the home plate umpire, John, for getting a little mouthy with him.)
We were just discussing this rule with the Umpires at our game yesterday. I am not really sure there is a clear answer, but I believe the catcher has to at least be able to establish position to receive the ball to make a play. Below are what I think are the applicable rules:
CDMSBL Force-Play Slide Rule:
"The intent of the force-play slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety rule as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base except to a batter who hits the ball, then is running in the proper base path to first base regardless of the number of outs. Otherwise, on any force play, the runner must slide in a direct line between the two bases or run in a direction away from the play as to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. (1) "On the ground" means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground. (2) "Direct line'' means the runners entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the two bases."
MLB Obstruction Definition:
"Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that impedes the baserunner's progress. If a play is being made on the obstructed baserunner, the ball is ruled dead and the umpire can place all runners on the base he determines they would have reached without the obstruction. If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the umpire will allow the play to progress until its natural conclusion and then impose any penalties he sees fit to nullify the act of obstruction."
My understanding is that "slide to avoid contact" is generally the CDMSBL rule, but I would defer to the more experienced among us. I am also somewhat biased towards the catchers.
-- Edited by Greg Allen on Monday 3rd of June 2024 11:22:23 AM
Our league DOES NOT have a mandatory slide rule, the verbiage in the MLB rules says must dont want that to be taken out of context. . Most times guys peal off if they know they are going to be forced out at a base , some do slide but we always would say arms length to the bag and avoid contact as much as possible. The play at the plate is a little more different, 1. Catcher needs to give a lane to the base 2. Cant block the plate without making a play on the ball, there is always incidental contact at times as long as not malicious, without sliding and running into a catcher to mean could have been construed as malicious contact. But not malicious to cause injury. More unnecessary Especially since there must have been a collision and catcher got knocked over. I wasnt present so I cant say for sure. But many of these plays comes down to realization its a recreation league and nobody wants to get hurt playing baseball at 50 plus years old. Tim burns got taken out in a Florida tourney score was we were up 11-3 top 8th inning guy slid in like his life depended on it and hurt Timmy, was laid up for several
Months. Again I as a gm feel
Always caution to the safety side of it.
