Post by Beau Reznak on May 19, 2014 20:02:34 GMT -5
1. Teams aren't using the radar gun. All I can say about this is that you are doing your own team a disservice. For the integrity of league stats, I will still operate the gun if I believe that two teams are trying to agree to play a fast pitch game, but if just one team is benefiting from the other's decision, then I feel no need to step in. Additionally, it is never the pitcher's responsibility to worry about his speed if he is not being gunned. Just because someone can always hit 67-70 when they are being gunned doesn't mean that you should expect that they will just remain at that speed if you take the gun off of them. If any teams have any questions about how to operate the gun, I'll gladly show you at the field.
2. Some players still aren't following the points of emphasis regarding the first base area. I'm expecting to have to make a call on that this week. Honestly, if you are playing first base and obstruct the orange base area, you should expect to get decked by the runner (we may offer some leniency if and only if the first baseman absolutely had to move into that area in order to catch an errant throw, though it would be at his/her own risk, as the runner should still feel entitled to run full speed through the base). There is especially no reason for a runner overrunning first to ever use the white base.
3. It is the responsibility of the pitcher to call it if someone is blocking the zone with their arms/body or leaning into a pitch. If you see someone crowding, it is best to warn them first as a preventative measure so that controversy can be avoided. While a batter does not need to move out of the way to let a ball curve into the zone, the pitcher is entitled to an unobstructed straight line to the zone. Additionally, it is not legal for a batter to move from their original stance into the path of a pitched ball that has a chance to hit, even if that pitch is a curveball.
If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'd be happy to further clarify any of these rules and will even demonstrate them at the field if need be.
2. Some players still aren't following the points of emphasis regarding the first base area. I'm expecting to have to make a call on that this week. Honestly, if you are playing first base and obstruct the orange base area, you should expect to get decked by the runner (we may offer some leniency if and only if the first baseman absolutely had to move into that area in order to catch an errant throw, though it would be at his/her own risk, as the runner should still feel entitled to run full speed through the base). There is especially no reason for a runner overrunning first to ever use the white base.
3. It is the responsibility of the pitcher to call it if someone is blocking the zone with their arms/body or leaning into a pitch. If you see someone crowding, it is best to warn them first as a preventative measure so that controversy can be avoided. While a batter does not need to move out of the way to let a ball curve into the zone, the pitcher is entitled to an unobstructed straight line to the zone. Additionally, it is not legal for a batter to move from their original stance into the path of a pitched ball that has a chance to hit, even if that pitch is a curveball.
If anyone has any questions, let me know. I'd be happy to further clarify any of these rules and will even demonstrate them at the field if need be.