The Neighborhood Play...

never heard it called that before. Interesting article on it, I never really got the whole you have to protect the defensive player (ss or 2ndbaseman) and allow him to not have to actually touch the bag, when every other base has to be touched or it's a no go. Are bang/bang plays at 3rd less dangerous?

What do you guys think?

Neighborhood Play

 

I'm actually not a fan of the neighborhood play. Keep in mind, I'm the same guy that tells the SS/2B to throw the ball right at the face of an oncoming runner if he doesn't slide.

It should be noted that I've never had a middle infielder ever hit a guy in the face, but they have grazed a helmet and certainly have hit hands/arms going up in an attempt to block the throw. You see, if they make that contact, the double play is automatic. There's no denying it. There's no room for umpire's discretion.

I coach the kids to throw the ball right to 1st just as they would if no one was there. If they are there, proceed as usual. You become a notorious a*hole, but at the same time, you become notorious for having teams with tenacious, old-school defenses. Teams will no longer have their players do that nonsense trying to distract or take out the middle infielder.

Finally, it should be pointed out that I teach 2b/SS to receive the throw from the back of the bag as the touch point. Essentially, I take the rules of the game and turn them on their ear so that it's obvious runner's interference. If you have to take to the air to avoid a physical collision, there's nothing illegal about landing on the runner either to soften your blow. Just don't say anything afterwards. Get up and return to your position.

It's a game of fear and discipline.

 

I saw the play referred to in the article cited by Terry. I guess I'm not surprised by the controversy.

 

I didn't know college had this rule.

 

The college rule is a good one. I'm guessing it's enforced the same way at the HS level.

 

yup. it's because that level plays defense and has a-holes like me who will teach you to play by the book.

It's a good thing until you get the wrong umpire. I've seen that call, literally, destroy rallies because of someone's interpretation... pretty brutal in fact. I don't mind it though. It's errs on the side of safety for the kids.