southsider2k5 Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 8. A strange play in Wednesday night's Red Sox-Blue Jays game highlighted an obscure and, to our thinking, bizarre rule. With Boston's Gabe Kapler on first and one man out in the fifth inning, Tony Graffanino homered over the left field wall. Kapler, who was busting hard in case the ball didn't clear the wall, collapsed after rounding second with a ruptured left Achilles' tendon. After five minutes on the turf, Kapler was carted off the field. Pinch runner Alejandro Machado was allowed to replace Kapler at second base and trot home in front of Graffanino. According to the story on mlb.com, baseball's rule book includes this provision: "If an accident to a runner is such as to prevent him from proceeding to a base to which he is entitled, as on a home run hit out of the playing field, or an award of one or more bases, a substitute runner shall be permitted to complete the play." That just seems odd. When two outfielders collide and fall to the ground injured, for instance, the defense can't call timeout. A freak injury that occurs during a live play should be accepted as part of the game, albeit an unusual and unlucky part. I'd allow Kapler to be replaced, but Machado would have to stay on second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 That seems like a fair rule. It's not the same as an outfield play when the ball is in play. This is a "dead ball" situation. Interesting, I wonder if someone needed to look that one up. It is amazing what the umpires need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 I was watching it. The umps didn't seem to know what the hell to do for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KansasSoxFan Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 The rule makes sense to me. I can't imagine any team giving up a "free" run that they've already earned. Without the rule, I bet Kapler would've crawled home. That would just be pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 QUOTE(KansasSoxFan @ Sep 16, 2005 -> 10:20 AM) The rule makes sense to me. I can't imagine any team giving up a "free" run that they've already earned. Without the rule, I bet Kapler would've crawled home. That would just be pathetic. He tried to get up and walk it, but the trainers wouldn't let him do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted September 16, 2005 Share Posted September 16, 2005 QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 15, 2005 -> 11:07 AM) That seems like a fair rule. It's not the same as an outfield play when the ball is in play. This is a "dead ball" situation. Interesting, I wonder if someone needed to look that one up. It is amazing what the umpires need to know. Exactly. The write makes an analogy that is not even close to being the same situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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