Noles V Gators baseball fight

[Shamoan]

apparently, jameis winston was involved:

http://thebiglead.com/2014/03/25/ja...clearing-florida-stateflorida-baseball-brawl/

 

[Rebels7]

Am I the only one who thinks that was a chickenshit move by the runner? I could easily tried to avoid him and stayed in the baseline. Regardless of how the rule is worded.

 

[esplanade91]

I don't expect anything less from Florida.

 

[FlotownDawg]

It is the fielder's responsibility to avoid the runner if he doesn't have the ball. The pitcher was clearly blocking the basepath without holding the ball so the runner had every right to run over him as long as he stays in the baseline. What was he supposed to do? Stop running and jump to the side, giving the first baseman time to pick the ball up and tag him? The FSU batter did nothing wrong and the douchebag first baseman instigated the whole thing by going nose to nose with him for no reason.

 

[jakldawg]

The first baseman went out of his way to make sure a fight happened. I'm not sure why he was so pissed, his dumbass was almost as much in the pitcher's way as the runner.
I guess the runner could have been just a tad wider outside on the base path, but his intent was probably to make sure the pitcher "heard footsteps" and (for lack of a better term) alligator-arm it.

 

[Rebels7]

I know exactly how the rule is written. It is still a chickenshit move. The pitcher is still mostly in the grass, he could have easily been in the lane and still have avoided the pitcher, especially since he didn't have the ball. He wanted to be a tough guy. That's why he lowered his shoulder and leaned into him. At least that's how it appeared to me.

But in all fairness, the first baseman was a douche too.

ETA: He clearly veers toward the pitcher on further review. I stand by my opinion.

 

[rynodawg]

I think if he had stayed in the lane, he would have been tagged out. The pitcher had time to pick up the ball. Aggressive play by the runner, but it was likely the difference in being safe vs out. Can't fault him for that. Sometimes baseball is a contact sport.

 

[rabiddawg]

Yea I'm with you. To think a anything less from a O'Sullivan-coached team isn't possible. Remember a few ago Ramjet trying to make it look like our 1B coach tripped him when he was trying to catch a foul ball.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I've tried really, really hard to forget that piece of ***** name. He'd win every dddy award if it were up to me.

 

[thekimmer]

Here is what I saw.....

Am I the only one who thinks that was a chickenshit move by the runner? I could easily tried to avoid him and stayed in the baseline. Regardless of how the rule is worded.

The runner was traveling outside the baseline and then clearly moved inside the baseline to initiate contact with the fielding pitcher. The only possible reason for such a move was to physically interfere with the fielder or otherwise prevent him from making the play. I am not sure what the rules are in that instance so it was either a good move on his part or he should have been called out. Wouldn't call the runner's move chickenshat though. He didn't look to be afraid of anything.

 

[stateguy]

Sure doesn't look like the runner lowered his shoulder to me. Dang sure put his arms up to prepare for the collision

 

[whosyourdawgy]

The runner was traveling outside the baseline and then clearly moved inside the baseline to initiate contact with the fielding pitcher. The only possible reason for such a move was to physically interfere with the fielder or otherwise prevent him from making the play. I am not sure what the rules are in that instance so it was either a good move on his part or he should have been called out. Wouldn't call the runner's move chickenshat though. He didn't look to be afraid of anything.

Agree with this 100 percent. The runner moved into the infield grass on his last 2 steps before reaching the pitcher and moved his arms in to his body to protect himself for the contact. If the pitcher hadn't muffed the ball, he would've tagged him out and gotten run over. Since he muffed it, he only got run over. I don't know the rule, but you can't run over a catcher anymore at home plate. So why should this be any different? The first baseman better be glad the ump and FSU coach were there or his *** woulda been beat by the FSU player. What was the outcome of the play anyway? Ruled a base hit? Anybody ejected or anything?

 

[Desoto]

Don't have a problem w any of it. First baseman just defending his pitcher.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Agreed. The baserunner did exactly what he was supposed to do.

 

[rabiddawg]

You are correct. The base runner has every right to truck whoever is standing between the base and him if he is in the baseline.

Very much like Slammin' Sam Frost last year with that UCA 1Bman in our regional. That douche should have been tossed from the game for stiff arming Frost who was trying to reach 1B.

 

[thekimmer]

The problem with that though is....

You are correct. The base runner has every right to truck whoever is standing between the base and him if he is in the baseline.

Very much like Slammin' Sam Frost last year with that UCA 1Bman in our regional. That douche should have been tossed from the game for stiff arming Frost who was trying to reach 1B.

The pitcher was not in the baserunner's initial path which was a step in foul territory. The runner then moved at least two steps into fair territory to initiate contact. Gotta believe this was intentional because a runner going to first with a ball hit down the line is taught to run in foul territory to avoid contact with a fair ball.

According to one account I read both the runner, 1B and pitcher were tossed. From what I saw the pitcher did absolutely nothing worthy of ejection. He was knocked down but then got up and just kind of milled around.

 

[RebelAlumnus]

Wrong, it's illegal and a chickenshit move.

Rule 8, section 5, part D:

The runner interferes intentionally with a throw or thrown ball, or interfereswith a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball. If a double play is likely,and the runner intentionally interferes with the fielder who is attempting tofield the ball, both runner and batter-runner shall be declared out;

1. A.R. 1—If two fielders attempt to field a batted ball, the umpire shall determine whichfielder is more likely to make the play and only that fielder is protected from interferenceby the runner.
   

 

[patdog]

More info:

7.09
It is interference by a batter or a runner when --
(i) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball;
Rule 7.09(i) Comment: When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called. “Obstruction” by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such “right of way” is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball. If the catcher is fielding the ball and the first baseman or pitcher obstructs a runner going to first base “obstruction” shall be called and the base runner awarded first base.
PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.

 

[OldFatDog]

The only person that I have a problem with is the FSU first base coach. He

should have removed his player and kept his hands off of the UF player.

 

[00Dawg]

It's not illegal.
Why? Because he pitcher had already attempted to field the ball, and failed. The pitcher had the ball and dropped it before contact, which is why the commentators said what they did. If he'd still been preparing or trying to scoop it, the runner would've definitely been out.
Some more detail is available here:
http://www.baseball-rules.com/FAQs.htm
Note the part about the misplay. Until the FSU runner kicked the misplayed ball, it was heading away from the pitcher.

The runner did shift his path to the inside, obviously in preparation for running over a fielder with the ball in an attempt to dislodge it, at which point he would've been out for failing to slide or attempt to get around the tag. However, due to the misplay above, he remains safe.