Posted by Ralph Hunter
on 4/17/2012, 3:18 pm
User logged in as Ralph Hunter
74.103.169.60
Ladies, Gentlemen and Fans - Each season I get questions at league meetings about the "slide rule". The ASA has NO rule on Slide or Surrender. The only time this rule would come into play would be if the league(s) your participate in has one in its rules. League rules ALWAYS supercede ASA rules. The reason for no slide rule in the ASA book is believe it or not because of safety. Please keep in mind that not everyone knows the proper way to slide. If the ASA required you to slide many players who do not have a clue on the proper slide mechanics would risk being injured by a rule that would make the ASA liable for damages. Make Sense ? Yes ! There is a rule that covers deliberate crash by a runner who remains upright and runs into a defensive player who has the ball. That rule is Rule 8 Section 7 Article Q. The rule is also supported by the Deliberate Crash Rule which in the book is Rule Supplement #13. I would suggest that those who have access to the book take the time to read it, rather than leave calls to guessing. Umpires who fail to go to clinics should also take the time to read the book, not just do a game and take the money and run. The Umpire should know how to enforce this rule. The book says a runner MAY slide, jump over the defender, go around the defender or return to the last base he/she touched to prevent the out. I would hope this clears things up on the so called slide/surrender rule. If you want a rule requiring the runner to slide, then you must put that in or request that it be put in your league rules. Players should only be ejected if they deliberately crash (slide is not deliberate crash) into a defensive player holding the ball and the act is determined to be flagrant. This again falls on the good judgement of the umpire. Hope this helps.
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