First baseman out of play

No. Runner is still out.

If a coach complains, then the blue warns both teams that the first bagger must keep both feet in fair territory. The next offender is ejected.

I thought he actually just had to be touching the line. I think two feet in might be a myth.

Casebook play 1.1.4 b/c
In b F3 has one foot in foul, one on the line. In c he is touching the bag and has the other in foul. In both cases it is legal.

The line is fair territory, iron.

Michael:
PBUC
"1.15 FIRST BASEMAN PLAYING IN FOUL TERRITORY
Do not insist on the first baseman playing with both feet in fair territory unless the offensive team protests. If they do, you must enforce the rule as written, but make sure it is enforced for both teams."

Texan...

Just as a reminder

PBUC is OBR

MST's casebook is NFHS

As this is a HS website, most all of us quote NFHS rules first rather than assume strict OBR. As summer ball is now upon us, we will be asking for the rules used in the level of play before commenting on the applicable rule....

The differences between codes, as exampled above, are many.....

So basically, it's ok for a 1B or 3B to straddle the bag with 1 foot in foul territory UNTIL the opposing coach complains, correct? Playing this out, assuming both coaches have been warned and in an ensuing play, a runner is tagged out, but the 1B/3B have a foot in foul territory. NOW what's the call?

Or does Michael's ruling (above) apply?

This is not a call an umpire is going to make. there are too many more important things for us to watch than where F3's feet are when he makes a play.

I am not even going to issue team warnings for this I'm just gonna call time and tell him to start each play in fair territory. Any umpire who give a team warning for this is looking for trouble. There's enough trouble out there that I don't have to go looking for it to find it!

quote:

This is not a call an umpire is going to make.

Don't I wish. We had an ump call a balk, scoring the go-ahead run, when a 3rd baseman took a pick-off throw with one foot in foul territory. (MLB rules)

quote:

Any umpire who gives a team warning for this is looking for trouble.

That may have been the case, this guy had a chip on his shoulder all night.

This "fielders balk" call is one that never seems to go away.....Yes, there is a rule that says that every player must be in fair territory....but there is no penalty for doing so.....

Dont do that.....and as FVB says....Ive got much more inmportant issues to look for than one foot out of play.....

Rule 1-1 Art. 4 At the time of the pitch, all fielders shall be on fail ground except the catcher who shall be in the catcher's box. A fielder is in fair ground when at least ONE foot is touching fair ground.

I'm not isuing warnings for it. If a coach brings it up I explain that there is nothing wrong, let's play ball.

I agree with Michael on this. If it has no impact on the play or situation, I would much rather the umpires focus on the more important issues. Coaches that complain about this are begging and not beating teams through baseball. Technicalities are for lawyers. Play the right way and if it impacts a play it will be called. I don't recall ever seeing a player with BOTH feet out of play anyways.

As piaa said, it is not a balk. As several said, it is seldom brought up. I have seen a coach or two bring it to the blue's attention over the years. Trying to play mind games, probably. The blues did issue the warning, but no one was ever subsequently ejected.

Should be a nonissue.

There is a disadvantage though. My coach taught me that if the first baseman is doing that, and the pitcher throws over, and you go in standing, and it is off the bad a foot or two, towards second, he wont be able to get it as you are in his way, but if he hes both feet infront of the bag like you are supposed to, he can take a step and catch it.

The other disadvantage is he is catching the ball deeper on the bag so is less likely to make the tag in time.

MST,

If he's catching the ball deeper isn't that actually quicker to the tag, as a thrown baseball is probably quicker than the same arm distance of movement?

Possibly, I have never thought about it that deeply. I was thinking that by setting that close he has to reach out for the tag. You may be right. That is why I umpire and not coach.

quote:

Originally posted by dad10:
MST,

If he's catching the ball deeper isn't that actually quicker to the tag, as a thrown baseball is probably quicker than the same arm distance of movement?

I'd agree with you. Then he's not reaching back to tag.

If I read correctly you are wondering what should be done if a tag is made with a fielder having one foot in foul territory. This doesn't matter as long as you are in fair territory when the play STARTS you are fine. Once the play is in effect then you can go into foul territory to make a play.

My example would be a fly ball in foul ground or an overthrow at 3B and a short fence. The pitcher is there in backup position and gets the ball quick. The runner rounds too far and gets tagged by the Pitcher in foul territory. That is where the play has to be made.