Fight Rule - 5th in a series of the 9 rules that are treated differentyl in all 3 rulebooks
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- Parent Category: Larry's Corner
This is the 5th in a series of the 9 major rules that are treated differently in all 3 rulebooks.
IV. FIGHT RULE: CHARGING OR ABUSING AN UMPIRE OR OPPONENT
A. FED - No game participant may charge an umpire. 3-3-1k Penalty: warning or ejection. 3-3-1k PenaltyAlso: No game participant may leave his position or bench to engage in “fighting or physical confrontation.” 3-3-1q Penalty: Ejection. 3-3-1q Penalty – A coach who attempts to stop a fight is not in violation. 3-3-1 q; 3.3.1jj, kk and ll.B. NCAA – No player, coach, or team representative may physically abuse or fight with an umpire or opposing player. 5-16PHYSICAL ABUSE OF: OFFICIAL: Physical abuse is defined as “any THREAT of physical intimidation or harm to include pushing, shoving, kicking, intentionally spitting, throwing at or ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PHYSICAL CONTACT.” 5-16bAlso: For a violent attack on (“punching or kicking”) or fight with an umpire or opposing coach, the suspension PENALTY: Next 5 games, even for 1st offense. 5-16b Ex.Also: Umpires should immediately consult video evidence, if available, to identify players involved in a fight. 5-16c-4Also: If multiple suspension would create a “difficulty in fielding a team for its next game or games,” the institution may request staggered suspensions from its conference. Independent teams should work with the secretary-rules editor. 5-16 AR2PHYSICAL ABUSE OF PLAYERS: Physical abuse is defined as an attempt to “strike with the arms, hands, legs, feet or equipment in a combative manner or intentionally spitting at an opponent.” 5-16aAlso: The penalties are in effect for fall ball and carry over into spring competition. 5-16Also: Conferences may adopt more stringent penalties. 5-16a/b Penalty 4g Penalty: The offender(s) is immediately ejected. He must leave the field, he may not communicate with any team personnel, and he must change out of his uniform if he remains at the site. 5-16a/b Penalty 4a and 4b. Additionally: 1) for 1st offense: 3-game suspension; 5-16a/b Penalty 1; 2) for 2nd offense in the same season: 5-game suspension. 5-16a/b Penalty 2; 3) for 3rd offense in the same season: suspension for the remainder of the season, including post-season play. If the ejection comes in the last game of the season, a one-game penalty is assessed for the 1st contest in the following spring season. 5-16a/b Penalty 3Exception: The suspensions meted out under the fight rule do not apply to participants ejected for verbal abuse or arguing (5-17 Penalty AR) though any participant ejected for a violation of the Code of Ethics is suspended for one game. (3-6d Penalty)Also: Suspensions served for the “team’s next previously scheduled and completed contest(s. Halted or suspended games “against the originally scheduled opponent” shall count as “regularly scheduled contests.” Games may not be added after the incident to satisfy the penalty. (5-16 AR 1)Also: Suspended participants must serve their suspensions at once: “There shall be no appeal of the penalty.” (5-16a/b Penalty 4h)PLAY – NCAA only. Players from Baylor and Texas A & M duke it out in the final game of a series, and umpires suspend two players from each team. The University of Texas is coming to College Station, and the 1st game will be completion of a previous game halted in the top of the 9th inning with A & M leading 9-0. The 2 suspended Aggies are withheld from the game (inning). Ruling: The players have NOT served their suspensions: Although the game was “previously scheduled,” it was not “completed.”Also: Players suspended for infractions of the Fight Rule “shall be restricted to the designated spectator areas and prohibited from any communication or contact, direct or indirect, with the team, coaches and/or bench personnel from the start of the contest to its completion – including extra innings.” 5-16PARTICIPANTS LEAVE POSITIONS: Team personnel (players, coaches, trainers, managers) shall not leave their positions to participate in a fight, which is defined as a confrontation marked by “pushing, shoving or bumping.” (5-16c) An individual’s “position” is determined by where he is at the time a confrontation occurs. (5-16c) PENALTY: 1) All team members who participate in a fight for leaving their positions shall receive a 3-game penalty for a 1st offense. 2) A batter or runner who starts a fight by charging the pitcher is suspended for 3 games. 3) A pitcher who leaves the mound to start a fight is suspended for 3 games. 4) If players involved in action join a fight, they are ejected and suspended for 3 days. 5) Second offenders are suspended for the remainder of the season, including postseason competition. (5-16c Penalty 1 through 5)PENALTY FOR STOPPING FIGHTS: 1) Any player involved in a fight who has remained at his position and is judges to be merely defending himself shall not be ejected or suspended (5-16c Penalty AR1. 2) A player or coach who makes physical contact with another player “in an obvious attempt to prevent a fight or confrontation shall not be ejected or suspended.” (5-16c Penalty AR2).UMPIRES JURISDICTION: Umpires will enforce the penalty for infractions occurring any time from the start of the contest until the umpires leave the stadium after the last game of the day. (5-16a/b Penalty 4e). Also: The “ejecting” umpire must file a “suspension report” with the athletic director of the offending tea, the secretary-editor of the NCAA rulebook, and - if appropriate – a conference administrator. (5-16a/b Penalty 4f)ENFORCEMENT: The institution’s head baseball coach and athletic director are responsible for enforcing the penalties. (5-16a/b Penalty 4c)C. OBR – No game participant may make intentional contact with an umpire. PENALTY – ejection. (4.06a-4; 9.01d) Also – Official Interpretation from the PBUC Manual: Any member of the offensive team who charges the pitcher will be automatically ejected if he “moves a reasonable distance toward the pitcher with the intention of fighting.” [1.6]
