Rule question: Deception during a fake.throw

Tournament directors may use any rules they please. They can make it so a batter only gets 2 strikes, a batter is automatically out if the ball they hit doesn't reach the outfield grass in the air, or any other thing they want to do. Its their tournament! But, FED rules are FED rules. You can't say we're using them except ...!

What I find funny about your post is that you didn't say the FED rules are sent, only the "twists". That presupposes all of the coaches know those rules, when the truth is, probably less than half of those coaches are HS coaches and wouldn't know a FED rulebook if someone hit them in the head with it.

I don't know about all of the various rule books for all of the various programs, but as far as I know, FED is the only one that authorizes a courtesy runner. Unlike some rules, its simple and straight forward and only intended to be a speed up rule.

Why on earth would anyone want to complicate matters even more than what FED rules already do, by changing them? In fact, since NFHS states specifically in the rulebook that any interpretations of their rules should go to the state association responsible, I don't even understand why anyone other than certified HS programs would use them.

There are things in those rules that are left "open ended", like pitching restriction, so the state association may do with them as they please for their purposes. How many tournaments send the state association guidelines along with the rules? And, trying to cross reference anything in the FED rulebook to OBR for further clarification is a misery in itself because the rule numbers don't match!

So, I'm sure you've been in tournaments where the CR has to be the last batter out, so have I. I've also been to tournaments where the CR may be used for any pitcher, catcher or outfielder. I've seen it where the CR can only be used when there are 2 outs. I've seen it where it only applies to the pitcher, and I suspect there are other permutations that have been used too!

IMHO, the CR rule does so little to speed anything up, its useless! By the time the coach calls time, names the CR he wants, the player gets on his helmet and gets to the base he's supposed to be on, the other runner leaves the field and gets back to the dugout and the game gets going again, any time that would be saved is eaten up.

It would be so much easier if tournaments would use OBR and publish a list of differences.