D4 Baseball Final: Raiders Take 4th Title

June 16, 2012

BATTLE CREEK – Few had gotten to Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett the last two seasons.

But Decatur, and especially junior outfielder T.J. Stambeck, found a way in Saturday’s Division 4 Final.

He was 2 for 3 and played big parts in starting both Raiders rallies as Decatur won its first title since 2003 and fourth overall by downing the top-ranked Knights 4-1 at Bailey Park.

Stambeck also drove in a run, and senior shortstop Theo Rufo drove in two for Decatur, which finished 36-6 and was ranked No. 2 heading into the tournament. Junior Tim Cerven got the win on the mound, striking out two but giving up only five hits.  

Sophomore Patrick Broder drove in University Liggett’s run, in the second inning. The Knights finished 25-4. Senior Alex Daar took the pitching loss to fall to 16-1. Click for a complete box score.

PHOTO: Decatur huddles in front of its dugout during Saturday's Division 4 Final.

Be the Referee: Avoiding the Tag

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

May 14, 2024

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Avoiding the Tag - Listen

We’re on the baseball diamond today where we’ve got a runner on second with one out.

The batter hits a ground ball that gets through the infield and the runner makes the turn at third, attempting to score. The throw comes in ahead of him, and as he nears home plate he dives head-first over the catcher, avoiding the tag, and touches home plate.

Is this legal?

It is not.

Runners are not required to slide. They can jump or hurdle a fielder if the fielder is lying on the ground. And they can jump over an outstretched arm attempting to make a tag. But diving over a fielder is illegal. The runner is out.

If no contact is made between the runner and fielder, the ball remains live, unless interference is called. If contact is made, the ball becomes dead.

Previous Editions

May 7: Baseball Pitch Count - Listen
April 30: Boys Lacrosse Helmets - Listen
April 23: Softball Interference - Listen
April 16: Soccer Red Card - Listen
April 9: Batted Baseball Hits Runner - Listen
March 12: Basketball Replay - Listen
March 5: Hockey Officials - Listen
Feb. 27: Less Than 5 - Listen
Feb. 20: Air Ball - Listen
Feb. 13: Hockey Penalties - Listen
Jan. 30: Wrestling Tiebreakers - Listen
Jan. 23: Wrestling Technology - Listen
Jan. 9: 3 Seconds - Listen
Dec. 19: Unsuspecting Hockey Hits - Listen
Dec. 12: No More One-And-Ones - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 14: Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen

(PHOTOS by Gary Shook.)