Force Play Slide Rule

1. 4. d.
      Force Play Slide Rule
      
      The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs.

      1. a.
         On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.
         
         Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder.

         1. (1)
            "On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground.
         2. (2)
            "Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases.
         3. (3)
            If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
      2. b.
         Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner:

         1. (1)
            Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or
         2. (2)
            Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play.
         3. (3)
            Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base.
         4. (4)
            When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (a) make contact with, or (b) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called.
      3. c.
         Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if:

         1. (1)
            The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder;
         2. (2)
            The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder;
         3. (3)
            The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position;
         4. (4)
            The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder;

            1. (a)
               "Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base.
         5. (5)
            The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg;
         6. (6)
            The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play.
            
            PENALTY:

            1. (1)
               With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
            2. (2)
               With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance.
            3. (3)
               If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest.
            4. (4)
               If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.
2. 4.f
   Each league must set its own standards of player/team sportsmanship, but must encourage suspensions for infractions unbefitting to the image and policies of the league.
3. 4.g
   Failure to abide by age regulations - the managers must all recognize their responsibility to the league and the perpetuity of it as to not cross the line where winning is more important than playing. An opposing manager may at anytime have the right to question a player’s age. If a manager wants to lodge a protest, proof of age and residence must be mailed to the manager who lodged his protest by Friday of the following week. If an under age player is detected, penalties whether to the individual or team will be decided by the league president and board of directors. As a national precedent, the penalties will be forfeiture of all games in which the under-age player participated in and a minimum two-year suspension. If the manager had prior knowledge, he is subject to similar suspension.

   
   

   MSBL/MABL- RULES AND REGULATIONS - REVISED January 1, 2012