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Author TOPIC: 10u runner on 3rb base rule
moe d

June 16, 2014
8:19:18 AM

Entry #: 4131337
I thought that once the catcher had control of the ball and the base runner stops after taking a lead off the bag, the runner must return to 3rd base. Every game we have played this year, this rule has not been enforced and a game of chicken breaks out between the catcher and base runner. We even had a coach send the runner after the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher. When is enough enough?

Terry B

June 16, 2014
9:28:56 AM

Entry #: 4131359
You are exactly right Moe. This year more people have pushed our by-law rules to the side and have been just doing what they want. It's happened from T-Ball through 18u girls. If people bothered to read the by-laws they would see that a coach can be suspended for not following the by-laws. I Agree. Enough is enough.

Here is the correct way to play the 3rd base rule

No player will be permitted to steal home or harass the catcher from third base as long as the catcher has possession of the ball and is within the catchers box area or the batters boxes. Any steal of home must be done at the time of the pitch once the ball crosses the plate, on a passed ball, or on an errant throw.

This means:

Once a pitched ball hits the ground or crosses the plate, if the runner from 3rd has not decided to steal home, they cannot. The ball crossing the plate or hitting the ground is considered "At the time of the pitch". A player creeping or walking toward home is not considered stealing at the time of the pitch.

If the ball gets past the catcher and the catcher gets possession of the ball and is in the batters box/catchers box area and the runner has not attempted to steal home yet, the runner will not be permitted to steal home.

If the catcher has possession of the ball in the catchers box/ batters box area and on the throw back to the pitcher, throws the ball wild and the pitcher misses the ball, the runner may at that time advance to home and score.
This does NOT mean that once the pitcher has control of the ball and is walking back to the mound that the runner from third can go home. That runner will be sent back to third by an umpire who knows what is going on.

This rule eliminates the catcher chasing the runner back to third on every play as there is no need for them to do this.
If the catcher does chase the runner down the third base line, that is considered making a play on the runner because the catcher obviously is not controlling the ball in the proper area. from that point the runner can go home. If the catcher does stop in the batters box/ catchers box area with possession of the ball and then decides to chase the runner to third, this will not be permitted.

The runner comes down the line and stops when the catcher has possession of the ball in the batters box catchers box area.
The catcher throws the ball to the pitcher who catches it. the third base runner turns and heads back to third while the pitcher is walking back to the mound. suddenly the pitcher throws the ball to third to get the runner out. This will not be permitted and the runner will be safe even if tagged out because the runner from third will not be put at a disadvantage by a defensive action for following the rule. If the throw to third is wild and goes past the third baseman, this also will not be permitted and all runners will remain at the base they occupied before the throw.

A runner can come down the line and stand there to make sure the throw to the pitcher is good. Just because the catcher has the ball in the catchers box/batters box area, the runner does not have to go back. Once the pitcher has clear control of the ball, that is when the Runner must return to third base.


moe d

June 16, 2014
10:52:25 AM

Entry #: 4131393
I hope everyone gets it after this discussion and after reading the email terry sent out. Hopefully the tournament games aren't plagued by this.

BudDe

June 16, 2014
10:29:38 PM

Entry #: 4131530
This topic says 10u 3rd base rule. Sorry Terry for bugging you on this but You refer to the bylaws being broken all the way to 18u. From what I beleive I read this is only a 10u rule correct?

Terry B

June 16, 2014
11:17:15 PM

Entry #: 4131543
This is a 10u and a minor boys rule.

The reference to by-laws not being followed refers to all by-laws, not just this rule.


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