For the purposes of this rule, the runner’s “pathway” shall be the direct route from his initial starting position to the next base. A runner who makes a clear and distinct change in his route to the base shall be judged to have changed his pathway. Conversely, a runner who runs in a straight path or angles his pathway over the course of his entire route to the base shall not be considered to have changed his pathway. For example, a runner who starts from the infield side of the base and angles his pathway to result on the outfield side of the base shall not be judged to have changed his pathway.
A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the base. In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately if his body should hit the ground before contact with the base. These parameters are from Rule 6.01(i)(1) Comment to the Collisions at Home Plate [former OBR 7.13(1) Comment].
A runner may slide sideways into a base and extend his legs toward a fielder as part of a bona fide slide described in Rule 6.01(j).
If a runner violates Rule 6.01(j), the interference is to be signaled by the umpire pointing laterally at the interference while loudly and clearly stating, “That’s interference!” At that moment call “time” and impose the penalty for interference. DO NOT wait until the “initial” throw is completed before calling time.
Slide Rule Check List:
Bona Fide Slide
– Did the runner begin (make contact with the ground) his slide before the base?
– Was the runner able and did he attempt to touch the base?
– Was the runner able and did he attempt to remain on the base (except home plate)?
– Did the runner refrain from changing his pathway for the purposes on initiating contact with the fielder?
If the answer is “No” to any of these questions, you MAY have a Violation, because the runner did not engage in a bona fide slide. The runner must fail to engage in a bona fide slide AND must interfere with a double play attempt for a violation to be called.
The runner also did not engage in a bona fide slide if he:
– “Roll blocked”
– Initiates or attempts to initiate contact above the knee by kicking his leg
– Throws his arm or upper body at the fielder
Interfere/Impedes/Hinders
– Was the defense attempting to turn a double play?
– Did the runners actions interfere/impede/hinder the fielder in any way?
– Did runners actions make fielder do something different?
If the answer is “No” to any of these three questions, you CANNOT have a Violation.
If the runner failed to engage in a bona fide slide AND interfered with a double play attempt, the umpire shall call “Interference.”
Penalty:
– Runner out
– Batter-runner out UNLESS interfering runner has already been put out in which case, the runner whom the defense is making a play is declared out.
– All runners return to last legally touched base at the time of the interference UNLESS the batter-runner has not reached first base in which case, all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
Violation
– Runner was not engaged in a bona fide slide
– Did not attempt to reach base with his hand or foot
– Was not within reach of base without changing his pathway
– Runner initiated illegal contact with fielder by throwing his arm and contacting fielder above the knee
Violation
– Runner was not engaged in a bona fide slide
– Runner failed to attempt to remain on base after completion of slide
Violation
– Runner was not engaged in a bona fide slide
– Runner did not begin his slide before the base.
– Runner failed to attempt to remain on base after completion of slide
No Violation
– Runner was engaged in a bona fide slide
– Began his slide prior to reaching the base
– Was able and attempted to reach base with his hand
– Was able to remain on base
– Was within reach of base without changing his pathway
– Even though runner attempted to initiate contact with fielder by kicking his leg he did not contact the fielder above the knee. This is a legal play
No Violation
– Runner was engaged in a bona fide slide
– Began his slide prior to reaching the base
– Was able and attempted to reach base with his foot
– Was able to remain on base
– Was within reach of base without changing his pathway
– Contact was a consequence of a permissible slide
If a runner violates Rule 6.01(j), the interference is to be signaled by the umpire pointing laterally at the interference while loudly and clearly stating, “That’s interference!” At that moment call “time” and impose the penalty for interference. DO NOT wait until the “initial” throw is completed before calling time.