Must the first baseman be in fair territory while holding the runner on first. While reading the OBR it said that all players must be in fair territory except the catcher. But there was no penalty indicated for the first baseman being in foul territory while holding runner.

quote:

Originally posted by mennaj:
Must the first baseman be in fair territory while holding the runner on first. While reading the OBR it said that all players must be in fair territory except the catcher. But there was no penalty indicated for the first baseman being in foul territory while holding runner.

First, when there is no penalty listed, the default is ejection if the infraction is not corrected.

That said, both tradition and current practice is for this to be addressed only after a complaint is registered and then it is to be enforced strictly on both teams.

To enforce it, simply direct F3 to get both feet in fair territory. I've never received a refusal when I've explained that the oppopsing team has complained and requested enforcement.

I have had to calm skippers down when they went a bit overboard voicing their opinion of the bush league complaint to their counterpart. But I let them make their point.

This rule is one that is often misinterpreted and /or misunderstood...fortunately the rule book offers a clear interpretation for NFHS and NCAA....

Lets Start with FED...

NFHS rule 1-1-4

Except the catcher, all fielders must be in fair territory at the Time of the Pitch. A fielder is in fair ground if he has ONE foot in fair territory..

NCAA rule 5-4

Except the catcher, all fielders must be in fair territory when the ball is put in play. A fielder is in fair ground if he has ONE foot in fair territory..

OBR is a bit different, it starts out clear then muddies the water. OBR rules seldom change....but the interpetations often do and the result is that the rule book will maintain the rule as written, but the PBUC OFFICIAL INTERPRETATIONS will overide the rule.

Thus the coach and umpire, who does not study the rules, will be left at a disadvantage when the rule is applied.

OBR 4.03

Except the catcher, all fielders must be in fair territory when the ball is put in play.

Official Interp 161-243: A player is in fair ground only when he has both feet in fair territory.

However:

Official Interp 162-243 says: umpire should not insist a fielder have both feet in fair territory unless one team complains , but hereafter the umpire will require all fielders to have both feet in fair ground....

As to penalty....If the umpire recognizes the infraction, the umpire should correct the situation...basically its a "dont do that"....No balk on a first baseman who has one foot in foul...

REAL WORLD APPLICATION:....

In the real world where most games are umpired by the 2 man system, when there is a runner on 1st base, the umpire will be in the B position (Behind the mound to the 2b side).

Accurate determining of a foot in fair or foul from that position is almost impossible....and in the course of the responsibilities of a BU in the pitch process, looking for this is so far down on the list that it becomes a non issue...

It should also be stated that any part of the foot touching the foul line constitutes being in fair territory.