The Army Leap Play

[obbay]

Jumping, hurdling and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground."

I'm not an umpire, but reading building codes is part of my day job. When I read this, I took it to mean that a runner cannot jump, hurdle or leap over a fielder to avoid a tag unless the fielder is lying on the ground.

 

[Comp]

Do you see any exception in the rule about if the fielder is attempting a tag? No, there is no other rule reference to it or case play, but, any question on the NFHS test with regard to leaping over a defender is a dead ball out unless the defender is laying on the ground.

 

[BretMan]

I agree that they could spell it out a little more clearly. So this is a perfect example of where somebody might have a rule book, but not be familiar with how a rule is interpreted.

Leaping/hurdling/jumping over a fielder is regarded as a form of interference (hence its mention under the "runner is out" interference rule). The ruling is the same as with any other runner interference call: Dead ball, runner is out.

 

[smddad]

It's also illegal in USSSA.

NOTE: Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground.

 

[MTR]

So, this was widely posted over the weekend...cool looking play by a very athletic Army player.



My question is this - could there have been an obstruction call on the catcher? It looks to me like she is fully blocking the runner's path to the plate well before the ball got there.

Thoughts?

This is a great athletic play by the runner. It is legal in most softball rule sets and I completely disagree with those which consider this an illegal act.

 

[chinamigarden]

I saw some who said she should be out for leaving the field of play by jumping. And yes they were serious.

 

[Sparky Guy]

This is a great athletic play by the runner. It is legal in most softball rule sets and I completely disagree with those which consider this an illegal act.

MTR, that was a grown woman who made the leap. What I think many of the alphabets are trying to do is to keep the younger fielders safe with the mindset the runners may not be able to perform a leap every time. The defenders are expecting a play on the ground and they are vulnerable in that situation. I'm sure the alphabets feel it's better to err on the side of caution.

 

[sluggers]

NCAA Rule 12.14.2 specifically allows a runner to jump over a defender holding the ball. The runner, of course, would be be out if she collides with the fielder.

NFHS rules are different. The rule states, "Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal. (2-32-1, 2) Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder as long as the fielder is lying on the ground. Diving over a fielder is illegal."

 

[MTR]

MTR, that was a grown woman who made the leap. What I think many of the alphabets are trying to do is to keep the younger fielders safe with the mindset the runners may not be able to perform a leap every time. The defenders are expecting a play on the ground and they are vulnerable in that situation. I'm sure the alphabets feel it's better to err on the side of caution.

To the best of my knowledge, with the exception of NFHS & USSSA, the alphabets allow this type of play. Besides, a youth athlete is more flexible and often less susceptible to injury that an adult.

 

[CoachChristine]

To the best of my knowledge, with the exception of NFHS & USSSA, the alphabets allow this type of play. Besides, a youth athlete is more flexible and often less susceptible to injury that an adult.

When my brother was 10 or so, he attempted a leap over the second baseman attempting to tag him. He kicked the kid in the head so hard that he got a concussion.

I scoured the Little League book and didn't see anything about jumping defensive players. However, our local LL prohibits it.