Author	Topic:   Bases
Gary	posted 5/29/07 4:20 AM       Just curious about the sliding rule and the the fielding rule that says you have to stand behind the base line. The team I play for is right in the middle of the pack so we have had our share of really good innings and really bad innings. It would seem to me that if you wanted to do something to make the league safer - the last thing on list should be abolishing the slide rule. There is a reason every league has, it including most children leagues. It is safer to slide than to risk bowling someone over that is half your size. I have played baseball for a lonnnng time and a lot of people have a miss conception that sliding makes you faster. It is much slower than running through the bases. The reason you slide...is to stop. Otherwise (especially with the length of our bases) faster people can't get up to full speed nor can they stay at it for more than a second. I have seen about five people get hurt because they can't slide. Also, the rule about the infielders starting behind the baseline confuses me. I imagine it was put in place to give weaker hitters a chance to get on base more, which is really cool if you ask me, but the team we recently played hit a lot of their balls to around where the pitcher stands and the bases (set up by someone else before teams arrived) were closer to hardball length let alone fastball and for sure not even close to slow pitch. It just seems like kind of a weird rule, and I love the fact that the league is for fun and it is supposed to be non-competitive, but the reality is, it's not. And the home run rule is a good one because good players can work around it keeps the score down and the batters are challenged. If you want everyone to be closer in talent so it can be more fun, than do things like cap what power hitters can do, but don't make a rule that gives an advantage to people who hit the ball to the pitcher (on purpose or not) It is part of the field. It is the same as the "out of play" line which tells fielders that no matter how great of an effort they make, they aren't awarded with the out. Or the "tie goes to the runner" rule. I am used to hardball so I am not sure if that is actually a rule in this league or not but it also seems silly. If it isn't some coaches need to be notified about that. What I am trying to say as I ramble on is that I don't thinks we should change what baseball was built and meant to be to try and limit players who do well. If we are all playing for the right reasons, the score should matter, so we shouldn't change the rules.
Matty	posted 5/29/07 7:13 AM     I agree with the sliding, I too think it is safer then not being able to. Not being able to slide is a dumb rule and takes away from what baseball is all about. What fun is it to not get all dirty from sliding!! The league was A lot more fun with sliding and the only reason people got hurt before is because they stood on the base and got kicked. If there coaches actually held practices and went over the rules like our team does then everyone would no the positions better and would not get hurt so much. The other thing is right now we are the only team that we know of that pegs down the bases, it is so hard to try and stop on a base that keeps moving and we have already seen the injuries from this. Either peg them down or bring back sliding, all these rules are making this league less fun to play in not more!!
uknowen	posted 5/29/07 1:29 PM     Lets just say u have a team that are Young players. some of them never played before like s\s. some or most of there players whould get hurt no matter how much practice u have.
phil	posted 5/30/07 1:21 AM     i play for s/s i whould rather see us have fun. But i think if there was slideing most of us Includeing me whould probly get hurt. I know this from past years
Gary	posted 5/30/07 3:05 AM       I understand the want to prevent injury - but I think ONE practice or a 5 minute verbal lesson on how to tag a baserunner or how to slide would prevent these injuries. I just think these type of measures would be better than changing the rules.
uknowen	posted 5/30/07 9:45 AM     All i have to say is next year show up at the meetings? it's to late now to change any rules. Talking about the Rules How about #7 there Garry?? and Bethel #1...
Gary	posted 5/30/07 3:07 PM       What about number 7?
uknowen	posted 5/30/07 3:29 PM     read rule #7 7.The Pastor of each church must approve the coach and team list and sign it before submission to the KDCSL. Late additions to the team roster from the church must also be given to both the Pastor and the League. The coach must give players who attend church functions regularly first preference to be on the team list. All players on a church team must attend church functions at least once a month. Players who attend a church that has a team in the League may not play for another team unless by special circumstances approved by the Executive and the Pastor of their church.
Gary	posted 5/30/07 4:20 PM       What about rule number 7, I know what it is...what about it?
phil	posted 5/30/07 7:54 PM     hey Garry thats one of my team mates. i will talk to them about this. I thought it was over but i guess wrong
Gary	posted 5/31/07 3:13 AM       Okay, because I am tired of your team harassing me about the church I go to. Sorry if baseball has become more important than church for some members on your team. If any of them have a problem with the fact that I went to the salvation Army ONCE this summer, give them my number, I'd be happy to explain, if not, then drop it!
Josh	posted 6/2/07 9:14 PM     Guys on S/S...the issue with the church Gary attends is over! As a regular church-goer i have only seen him once this year at the Salvation army. So the whole team needs to drop it because Gary is a good guy and doesn't need this kind of harrassment!
KDCSL Coordinator	posted 6/5/07 8:09 PM     Wow - That's a lot of stuff on one board! I'll try to address as much as I can: - Sliding: Running hard into a base standing up is dangerous, especially on a close play if the fielder is receiving the ball there and the runner isn't in control. In that sort of situation, I personally enjoyed being able to slide. But then, I wore ball pants to protect my legs, and knew how to slide in a safe way. An out-of-control slide (especially head-first) is at least as dangerous to the fielder at the bag. And the most common injury from sliding is the torn-up legs - Sliding on gravel in shorts is crazy! So for the league, I think it's good to not allow sliding (but of course we can vote on it again before next season.) - Baseline rule: Fielders behind the baselines is a standard 3-pitch rule (in as much as there are standards). Because 3-pitch differs from fastball in that the pitcher doesn't play the ball, it will always result in a certain number of "full-swing bunt" hits. In my experience, it rarely makes a difference in a game because the best hitters usually win, and the best hitters don't make a lot of miss-hit "bunts" (and even if they do, they probably would have been on base anyway). I know it can be frustrating, but if someone is regularly hitting the ball short, a fast shortstop and/or catcher can usually anticipate it and get them out. Keep in mind, an intentional infield hit is the same as a bunt, so the batter would be out. You can't tell what the batter is thinking, but an intentional "bunt" can usually be identified by not completing the full swing, or by chopping sharply down on the ball. If a new ball player just can't hit the ball very far, well, hopefully their coach will work with them - And in the meantime if they get on a few extra times I don't think it's a bad thing. - Tie goes to the runner - This is a standard rule in 3-pitch, fastball, and hardball. Basically there has to be a line drawn somewhere, and that's the line. Of course, it's still a judgement call by the ump about which came first, but at least if you hear the two sounds at the same time you know the runner is safe. - About eligibility - The rule allows a player who attends two churches in the league to freely choose which team they will play for, as long as the pastor there vouches for them. I hope that answers everything for now! Peter.
Whalen	posted 6/9/07 5:21 PM     As for the whole sliding thing, I understand it is a safety issue about out of control sliders, but those who DO slide.. often know how to slide. I've been in this league for almost 5 years and I dont recall ever seeing anyone slide, who doesnt know how to. People won't slide if they're too concerned about getting cut up by gravel or if they dont know how. Sliding should be ok because the ones who do it are more than likely the ones who know how to slide, and dont care about a little scratch.
Blake	posted 6/13/07 1:41 PM     I disagree, I have been in the league for 11 years now and I have seen many people slide out of control AND have seen people hurt badly. Although I enjoy sliding if needed, I think the rule is suited for our league. If many of the coaches/teams are wanting to bring sliding back, the issue can be revisited before next season.
Josh	posted 6/13/07 8:23 PM     i agree with you blake...in this league there are many, especially on my team, that are new to softball. We are here for fellowship and the way it is now is safe and fun so i see no need for change. If people think sliding is something that could be brought back into the league as you said let's wait till next year. For now, i like it this way.
phil	posted 6/18/07 10:02 AM     I say we see how many teams are upset that there is no slideing and then go from there I say if we need a meeting That all teams Should Have to Go to it.
Gary	posted 6/18/07 8:40 PM       I totally agree with phil - thanks everyone for the input - it is nice to have people respond!
Jeff	posted 7/7/07 2:33 AM     Some players are wearing metal spikes to games (more then once) and that is bad for sliding. Last year we had injuries twice in one game because of players trying to break up a double play. People need to drop the whole "lets change the rules half way through the season" bit and suck it up. Those are the rules for the season, voted on by YOUR coaches who showed up!!
KDCSL Convenor	posted 7/12/07 6:46 AM     Metal spikes are prohibited for safety reasons. Anyone who notices someone in them, please talk to the player's coach and get them to change bank into sneakers if necessary. Only rubber or hard plastic cleats are appropriate for mixed softball.
Gary	posted 7/17/07 1:12 AM       Well, if people are wearing metal spikes - then the sliding rule is totally justified. That's crazy. That's one of the only rools i was really clear on.
Matty	posted 2/4/08 9:17 PM     first....I feel the league needs to make in mandatory for all teams to have there bases pegged down at home games. If you don't have pegs they don't cost that much to buy. It is so dangerous to try and stop on a base going full speed when the bases go with you and often people just trip over them and get hurt. Second...Taking away siding just seems silly to me. Sliding stops your momentum and the players who normally get hurt from sliders are the ones who are standing right on top of the base!!! So if they are on the base then it's there own fault for getting hurt, and if the bases were pegged like they should be, they wouldn't move when the player slides causing the slider to hit the baseman. If you can't or are scared of sliding then don't slide!!! No one is making you slide just because the rule might say you can slide.....Rules are good and all, but this league seems to get more and more or take good ones away each year making this league crazy for people to understand. I make my players go through the rules but man the list just keeps getting longer lol. As for players not knowing the rules I feel it is each coaches responsibility to make sure all there players know them well. We start our teams in April not so we can be amazing or anything but simply to get new players use to things and to get players comfortable in positions and to know where to be on the field. Just some stuff I thought I would put out there.
Josh- Salvation Army	posted 2/16/08 6:01 PM     I think we should get rid of the sliding rule. If someone wants to slide they should do it knowing how to. If they don't know how to and do it anyway they should realize it wasn't the smart thing to do. And i agree with everything Matty said.
KDCSL Convenor	posted 2/22/08 5:50 PM     Keeping good pegs on hand is more of a hassle than a big expense (I think you can buy them at Canadian Tire for a few bucks) A lot of teams probably have bases without working straps though, so they would need to buy a whole new set. That's more expensive (~$100), although it's not a bad idea. I can suggest one good source for any coaches who are interested in new bases - They come in sets of three so you would have a spare one too.
Girls point of view	posted 3/21/08 0:54 AM     I don't really know where to stand on this rule. I have seen people get hurt when there is sliding and I have seen people do it right without injury to themselves and the baseman. My point of view comes from being a not so big girl and having to play a base due to a lack of players and having a guy come at you full tilt. I would rather have the person be standing up than have them flying at my ankles because I think it's easier for them to grab the person and attempt to keep both people on their feet than have them crash into your feet and take them out from under you possibly hurting you worse. Another point to consider is the health side of things. If you slide and you end up cutting up your leg and have blood running down it does that person continue running the bases or are they pulled to get the cut taken care of? Does every team remember to bring a first aid kit and do they keep it restocked from year to year? NOT that I am saying anyone has some horrible disease and that by putting in the sliding rule people are going to catch anything I just wanted to point that side of things out and see what people had to say. Either way the rule goes it's all about fellowship and having fun. See everyone on the fields soon!
Matty	posted 4/14/08 6:02 PM     Hey some good points hear. I just want to add to them not that it matters much as will be decided at the coaches meeting but anyways. If you are standing on the base and someone slides and hits you it usually means 2 things. 1. you are standing on the base when you should only have a foot on in and can move out of the way to tag someone. If that is the case and you get hit well kinda your own fault for standing on the base. 2. If bases are not pegged and you slide (which is the injury i have seen the most due to sliding) it causes the base that the person is on to move forward and carries the slider into that person on base with the bag. Going back to what I have said before though on this. If you are going to take away sliding then you need to make in mandatory for every team to peg down their bases! If you slide or not slide trying to come to a quick stop on a bases not pegged makes you wipe out and cause injury as well. If the base moves so do you and the person trying to tag you out. So I say if you keep the rule at no sliding enforce pegs! If you bring sliding back, still enforce pegs lol and teach your basemen or women to not stand directly on the base! To the blood issue, all teams should have a first aid kit that is well stocked. If you get cut going around a base either sliding or not and someone sees it and has a problems with it get whoever was last out on your team to replace you on the base so you can go receive first aid. If you choose to slide that being if you are allowed to slide, and you get hurt well thats your own fault and a risk you take sliding lol. If you slide on gravel well then that's just silly and also your body so if you want to cut your legs up go ahead lol. Anyways slide or not people are going to get hurt, I for one get hurt every year but that's just me. It's a sport and in any sport you are taking a risk at getting hurt. I always recommend my players buy cleats because it's a lot safer while running and if wet out you are not going to go flying over the bases like you would with running shoes on. This may only be softball but it's still a league and still a sport and should be treated like that. We hold practices before the season for one reason only. To make sure our players know how to play so they won't get hurt and to make sure they know the rules. If more players knew how to play their position and the rules I think their would be less arguments for one and less inguries. Anyways that's my bit on it all lol
Matty	posted 4/14/08 6:35 PM     just to add to my rant...if sliding does come back and only the coaches meeting will determine this...I say if you slide head first or out of control that player should be automatically out. This is not only dangerous for the runner but also dangerous for the baseman. 2 years ago I lost my footing and went head first into a girl playing for third day at the time. She fell on top of me and though she was only scratched up it could have been worse. As for me the way she fell on me and the way I ended up falling I tore my hamstring so bad I was on crutches for a week. To that I should have been out for going in head first. In any case I was out cause could not continue lol. Anyways I don't mean to argue with anyone on hear and started in this league when I ws 15 and am now 25. This league has come a long way since I was 15 but one thing has remained the same....People are forgetting the biggest thing....FUN! Last year alone I can't remember playing a year any other time that was as bas as last year....Arguing, swearing, almost fist fights???? I don't know about anyone else but those things don't make any league fun to play in. I am speaking for myself as well as I have been in some of those if not all over the years and am sorry for that. I think we forget that how we act in a church building or with family and friends is they same as we should be acting while on the field. I know adrenalin is pumping and things happen in the game but we need to stop ourselves when these things come up and say, it's only a game is it really worth having people think I am like this or that the church I go to is full of people who act this way? I for one am tired of all the nonsense that has been going on with teams and coaches over the years. If you as a coach has an issue go to the other coach and calmly talk it out. If your players have an issue get them to keep it inside and talk to their coach and have there coach talk to the other teams coach. I am a coach and the one thing I hate seeing and haring about is players on both teams going at it all game then hearing about the issues after the game. Don't wait till after deal with it right away so we can either sit those players out or talk to them and settle them down. If a player gets out of hand it is each coaches responsibility to sit them out or talk to them. However we can't do that as coaches if we don't know about it till the game is already over and players are having it out with each their fighting and name calling. There is not one church in this whole league that can say they have not got into it with another team at some point as a player. So this year let's try and act more like Christians especially when some teams including my own who have players who don't attend church regularly or are not saved. We need to be good examples for our churches and as believers. I for one hope this year will be a lot of fun and that their will actually be real fellowship with other teams, not just we beat you see ya later. It's about time the churches stop acting like they there church has it altogether and our church is better then yours. Let's start being what God called us to be and come together as the body of Christ and act like Christians and brothers and sisters in Christ. If we can't do that playing softball why would it be any different in anything else we do? Again I am speaking for myself as well. I think this league can only get better but will take all of us especially the coaches to make sure we and our players are acting Christ like and show love not hate, arguing, fighting, so on. So hear is to 2008 I hope it will be an awesome and fun year! I also hope teams will actually fellowship with each other! Cheers
KDCSL Convenor	posted 4/14/08 8:22 PM     About being better Christians on the diamond - Hear hear! About headfirst slides - Definitely unsafe. Even professional MLB players are encouraged to avoid them because of dislocated fingers. At our level it's more likely to cause head injuries, that we really want to avoid. But distinguishing between different kinds of slides seems too complicated to me, especially with volunteer umps. Was it intentional, or a trip? Headfirst, or sideways? What about a hook slide like they do in the majors to get around a tag? Because of that I think sliding is an all-or-nothing rule. Similar to the step-off leadoff rule, almost all 3-pitch leagues do not allow sliding. There's good reason for that, and I think as a league it is smart for us to use standard rules unless we have a really good reason not to. Why re-invent the wheel, or the rules? :)
Jeff	posted 4/15/08 12:17 AM     I believe that the rules that were imposed last year were great. They were NO SLIDING, NO BUNTING, INFIELDERS BEHIND BASELINE, AND THE HOME RUN RULE +/-4. The no blood rule doesn't bother me one way or the other. Instead of changing the rules every year we should set them for 2 years or more before they come up for review. Nothing confuses people more then changing the rules every year. I believe the rules from last year were perfect and I didn't hear any issues from our team. If there is a problem with a rule then for sure review it, but if there is no problem let it go. There is no problem with no sliding except for some people like sliding. I personally feel it is not for this type of league and I believe most would agree. I expect a hug from Matty and his team this year and maybe a little Dairy Queen action.
Matty	posted 4/17/08 3:13 AM     haha awesome! oh Jeff I am sure I can give you a hug haha. Just no bum squeezes am not sure I can handle any of those lol. My team will def be talked to at our first practice about sportsmanship as that is more important then anything else. If you win ya win if now oh well but how you played the game is what matters. I look forward to a new year, and yes I too agree that last years rules were the best we have ever had and ya sliding or not it doesn't make a big difference either way. Cheers
Matty	posted 4/17/08 3:14 AM     hey Jeff how about those PENS whooo SWEEP!!!
Blake	posted 4/22/08 5:37 PM     I agree with both Pete and Jeff, the rules we have in our league are pretty standard and I feel like they worked well last year; therefore they should be left alone. I have witnessed too many injuries or VERY close calls with sliding, and although I personally enjoy sliding, I don't think it is right for our league. As far as the bases being pegged in, I agree that it would be better, BUT I know the straps on our teams bags are all busted, and bases aren't cheap, so that makes it difficult to enforce a rule like that. I also agree that last year was a fairly tense year, but I feel like it was just an off year for the league AND those intense times rarely happened (but I can only speak for games we played). I am looking forward to seeing everyone and playing another fun season. PS Jeff I'm down for a bum grab! haha jk
Matty	posted 4/24/08 4:26 AM     ya good stuff. As for bases they are not that expensive you can get 3 new ones with pegs at Canadian tire for $49
sam	posted 6/2/08 1:42 AM     this is seriously some good laughs...keep up the good work fellas..... oh, and i'm always in for a little DQ action jeffy...me likey the oreo blizzards ...

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