Time For A Rule Change!?

Jquick823 · Apr 28, 2015

Safety being a huge concern for almost everyone, at what point do we look at plays of the game and remove them? For instance in MLB you can't block the plate anymore, thus cutting down on the likelihood of a collision and a Buster Posey injury. How about in FP we take away the show bunt pull back and swing away? I personally hate this play as I feel it puts the defense in an unsafe situation as they crash to field a bunt and next thing the 3rd baseman knows the balls in the OF.

No one has been hurt from this at any tournament I've ever been at, but I did see a 3rd Baseman and her life flash before my eyes as a girl ripped it passed her head after showing bunt.

riseball · Apr 28, 2015

Of course you can regulate what hitters do with the bat prior to swinging, to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. That said, I am not sure it is appropriate. I always found it odd that the fringe that advocates a fielding mask mandate seems uninterested in addressing behavior that increases the risk to players. But wear do you draw the line? If you ban "show and go" are you willing to also ban plays at the plate? Similar to the double base at 1st do we have double home plates like they do in some slowpitch games? The game has been around for a long time, I would be cautious with tinkering with how it is played. A seemingly innocuous change to the top of the NCAA strike zone a few years ago has had an enormous impact on the game.

quincy · Apr 28, 2015

At younger ages I dislike the batter takes their stance, then when the pitcher starts their movement the batter shows bunt, then pulls back and swings away. I do not mind it at the NCAA level but at lower age levels I would like to see it be illegal.

quincy · Apr 28, 2015

7.3.G

Once the pitch starts their motion the Batter’s bat may not pass their right shoulder more then once.

Effect

In between innings offensive coach must stand 10’ from home plate while the defensive team whacks a maximum of 10 balls at them.

JAD · Apr 28, 2015

Jquick823 said:
How about in FP we take away the show bunt pull back and swing away? I personally hate this play as I feel it puts the defense in an unsafe situation as they crash to field a bunt and next thing the 3rd baseman knows the balls in the OF.

I will never forget the first time in 10U TB when a girl squared to bunt and everyone yelled "BUNT", then she pulled back to swing and the entire coaching staff yelled "STOP" to our 3B who was crashing as fast as she could go.....scares the hell out of you the first time it happens!

aneasy643 · Apr 28, 2015

I understand the safety thing. What bothers me when we think the solution is to change the game. It's been played like this for years, we need to teach the kids how to see it and defend it, that's what my coach did.

RetiredCoach · Apr 28, 2015

Out of concern for the safety of the other team's defense, I have not taught this technique to my players. I have only coached as high as the 16U level, maybe as they get older and more skilled it won't be a safety concern.

darken · Apr 28, 2015

Out in Left Field said:
The girls need to play back, get faster, and crash later. Not sure you can regulate what hitters do with the bat prior to swinging.

I agree with this 100%. The safety of the fielders is the fielders responsibility. Fielders should be taught to crash when a bunt is attempted which can't happen until the pitch is on the way. Anything pre-pitch is irrelevant.

The problem starts at the younger ages (10u), where the tournament directors are prohibiting this practice, allowing coaches to teach their fielders to crash way, way too early and stand 10 feet from the batter.

Mocoso · Apr 28, 2015

riseball said:
.......I always found it odd that the fringe that advocates a fielding mask mandate seems uninterested in addressing behavior that increases the risk to players. .

really? The fringe? What you did a census and found those who advocate masks are the vocal few? The fact you passionately disagree with fielding masks doesn't make those who support it a fringe group.... Have you considered some of us who would like to see masks be mandatory do so in order for other aspects of the game NOT to be changed such as showing bunt and pulling back?

I rather see corners be mandated to wear safety equipment than change the rules but then again I'm the crazy fringe I guess

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

corlay · Apr 28, 2015

we call this batting technique "slashing",
and it is prohibited in our local Little Leagues,
but have never seen it banned in tournament rules in 10U or 12U Travel play.

Personally, I like the technique to be part of the game.
Adds another "cat and mouse" aspect, and keeps it more interesting, for me.

Time For A Rule Change!?

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