Baserunner clapping

Once saw the coach of a 14yo team stop it.
After warning the runner and coach, his pitcher was ordered to pick the runner off. (I think the verbal sign was "drill him") The runner, leading off second was hit square in the back with the throw.

Funny, but that was the last "clapping runner" that game!

I have no problem with it but then I grew up playing in Brooklyn and Queens (NYC) where it was "everythng goes"

You never see clapping, kicking dirt, and other associated bush league play in varsity high school or college ball. The reason is that the players will dish out punishment like a ball drilled into the back for such bush league actions.

I've never seen a youth game like you mentioned where the opposing coach took the necessary action to end this idiocy. Usually the umpires have to be more proactive in shutting this stuff down at the lower levels. Yes, they slightly exceed their authority in doing so, but it is better to teach these kids proper baseball etiquette when they are young. That way they don't get hurt when they get older and try something so stupid as clapping.

Umpires at the lower levels can tell the kids to knock it off or take the coach aside and explain proper etiquette and the reasons for learning it at a young age.

If the game is played under major league rules refer to rule 4.06. That spells it out pretty clearly.

In part:

(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach's box or on the playing field, or elsewhere_ .....(3) Call "Time," or employ any other word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk. .............PENALTY: The offender shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be nullified.

If the pitcher and players are that distracted by clapping let's hope they never play in a big game with a lot of fans!

I'm fourteen, and middle infielders constantly clap their gloves and it annoys me so much considering they never actualy try a pick off. I have clapped before as a baserunner just let the pitcher know he's going to have to take a look over to see if someone is actualy their for the throw.

Completely agree with Dad0406...no place for that silliness in competitive baseball. My team will be 13U next year...still abit too young to be drilling kids. But certainly by 15U or high school I can understand that kind of response. Another less dangerous response is to holler out to your pitcher after he retires the batter is, "Hey you're pitching so well even the other team's applauding you"! I know it sounds a bit cheesy but it oftentimes casts enough embarrassing spotlite on baserunner that he's humiliated into stopping.

If you are into the game do you really hear the clapping?

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
If you are into the game do you really hear the clapping?

Unfortunately yes for me. Its like someone scratching their fingernails on a chalk board.

I have been to many college games and seen the entire team that is at back stand in front of the dugout and clap.

An umpire should not say anthing, not matter what level. As TR said if your into the game you do not hear it.

Classless,bush,immature,childish,unnecessary, and a reflection of the coaching
staff.

Same applies from the dugout as well.

Normally subsides the better the talent level but I've also witnessed it
in college as well.

Never in professional.

Wonder why?

Just

then I do not think you are truly into the game

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
then I do not think you are truly into the game

Uh, ok.

As a pitcher if you are worried about baserunners clapping pitch a perfect game and you wont have to worry about it

I have coached many years at the 17-18 level. My players did not yell or clap or do anything else to try and distract the pitcher. Figured the more time they were worrying about distracting the pitcher, the less time they have to concentrate on not getting picked off.

With that said, if one of my pitchers complained about a runner clapping and distracting him, I would be inclined to remove him from the game...since it is obvious his level of concentration is not where it needs to be.

I find that too many folks worry about what is going on with the "other team." IMO, they need to focus more on coaching their team. We have been at World Series and Nationals and had players on other teams yell from the dugout, clap on the base paths, etc... If I have found it to be too much, I have mentioned it to the umpire and have allowed him to use his discretion on whether it was unsportsmanlike conduct as mentioned in the rule cited above.

Well said Larry. I am both an umpire and a Elgion manager and you hit the nail on the head. If this is bothering my pitcher or players, maybe the need to buckle down and get into the game. If I see any of my players doing this I tell them to have a seat next to me on the bench. As for the team clapping in front of the dugout, this could be a close game and they sre trying to encourage the batter. If I thought it was mischevious I would stop it at that point and have the players sit down.

Now I think that the coaches need to police this act. I notice it a lot more at the Rec level than I do at a competive level. As an umpire I will address the situation if I am asked by the opposing manger.

Personally, it bothers me to an extent. Form the dugout I hear it and I would love to see the clapper get drilled. Form the field I can't even hear it because, IMO, if you head is in the game any stupid cr@p like that should be blocked out. If you hear sutff like that while you are playing then how into the game are you? It is extremely: bush, idiotic, classless, and un-basball like to do stuff like that. Where I play, if someone where to do that, his next AB he is going to get one in the ribs. But, hey, at least they are not doing those stupid rhyming chants that softball players do.

-Kevin

Baserunner clapping is "bush league".

Clapping and high pitched squealing are best left for girls softball.

Real men don't clap on the basepaths.

BeenthereIL,
You are absolutely right. Baseball shouldn't have any of that bush league cr@p in it.

As a pitcher clapping doesnt bother me. You know hes there all you do is check him out of the corner of your eye and if hes far off pick him but if not then let him clap. I get fuel of the clapping if anything i would think it would mess with the batter.

thats the attitude to have!......

It is all part of the mind game of baseball

Baserunner, thats an opinon. But from the dugout, who is gong to distinguish the difference between clapping for your team during a rally or distracting the pitcher. Aren't they the same. Many levels hoot and holler during a rally, but the words should be for their own team.