Q: Batter hits a ground rule double and misses first base while going to second. After touching second base, he realizes his mistake and sprints to first, touches the base, then returns to second. The opposing team appeals the play to first. What’s the call?
A: Out on Appeal. Rule 7.10 (b) APPROVED RULING
Q: On a hard infield smash, the pitcher snares the ball, but the force of the hit entangles the ball in the glove webbing. To save the play, the pitcher tosses the glove with the ball still in it to the first baseman, who steps on the bag ahead of the runner. Is the batter out?
A: The pitcher fielded the ball legally and since his action in tossing the glove to the first baseman violated no rule, the batter would be out. Rule 6.05j
Q: A delivery by the pitcher hits the ground in front of the plate and the umpire calls out "Ball." But the pitch skips over the plate and the batter slams it over the right field wall. Is this a homer?
A: Yes. The umpire erred in calling the pitch too soon. The batter may hit a pitch even though it first touches the ground. (5.03, 7.05a, 2.00 Definition of Ball)
Q: A high
fly to left field appears to be an easy out, but the outfielders are startled
to see the ball and a Sea Gull collide. Recovering quickly, the left fielder
catches the ball while the center fielder catches the bird. What is the proper
decision? (I believe something similar happened to Dave Winfield in
A: The batter is
not out since the ball no longer is legally "in flight" and therefore
was not legally caught. The ball remains in play and the batter can advance at
his own risk. (2.00-Catch, In Flight)
Q: The batter hits a pop fly behind second base with runners at first and third with one out. The second baseman camps under the ball, then steps aside and deliberately allows it to fall untouched. The batter, assuming he would be an easy out, does not run on the play. The second baseman picks up the ball and fires it to the first baseman who tags the runner on first, then the bag. How many are out?
A: Both runner and batter are out and the side is retired. The runner would have been protected if the infielder had intentionally dropped the ball. In this case he did not touch it until it had struck the ground. (6.05l-Approved Ruling, 7.08e)
Q: A hard grounder is hit at the first baseman. It hops off his glove and drops inside his shirt, which was not buttoned at the top. Seeing he will be unable to extricate the ball before the batter reaches first, the fielder places his hand over the shirt to grasp the ball and beats the man to first. Is this legal?
A: No. In this case, although the ball was under the fielder's hand, it could not reasonably be considered to be securely held by hand or glove because it was actually entrapped by the uniform. (2.00-Tag, Catch)
Q: There is a runner on third with one
out and the score tied in the last half of the ninth. As the batter swings, his
bat tips the catcher's glove, but he still manages to loft a deep fly to right
center. After the catch, the runner on third scores easily, but the defensive
team claims the interference nullifies the sac fly. Is this claim correct?
A: No. When
a play follows a defensive interference, the manager of the team at bat can
either take the penalty or accept the play. Naturally, the manager wants the
game-winning play so the interference is ignored. (6.08c)
Q: A runner is on first when the batter singles to left. As the runner rounds second base, he is hit on the head by the throw from the outfield and is knocked unconscious. The batter-runner, the next batter and the coaches ask the umpire to call time, but he refuses. Is this correct?
A: Yes. Despite the injury, the defensive team has the right to tag the runner before time is called. Umpires cannot rule the ball dead until all action on the play has ended. (5.10h)
Q: After beating out a grounder, the batter
overruns first base by about 10 feet. He comes to a stop in fair territory,
turns in the direction of second base and leisurely returns to first base. Is
he liable to be put out?
A: No. The
runner can turn either way, in fair territory or foul, to return to first base.
However, this right to immunity is immediately forfeited upon any act which, in
the umpire's judgment, indicates the batter-runner will try for second base.
(7.08j)
Q: A double steal is attempted with one out. The runner is safe easily at second, but the catcher's throw reaches third far ahead of the front man, who stops short of the bag and is caught in a hot box between third and second. The runner who is on second hustles back toward first. As he retraces his steps, a wild throw goes into right field. On the error, the runner again changes directions and is able to score, but doesn't touch second base on his dash home. Was he obligated to touch second a second time?
A: Yes. The runner must touch each base in proper order, whether advancing or returning on the base paths. He was obligated to retouch second and is therefore subject to being retired upon appeal. (7.02, 7.10b)
Q: The bases are loaded with two out when the batter hits safely to right. Two runners score, but the third man overruns third base and is tagged out in a rundown. The batter advances to second but misses first en route. The first baseman notes the mistake, calls for the ball and appeals. The umpire calls the batter out. Do the runs count?
A: No. If an appeal develops during the same play in which the third out is made, the appeal takes precedence. In this case, the appeal play is upheld and the batter becomes the "fourth out." Since he never legally advanced to first base, the runs are nullified. (7.10b-Paragraph Beginning "Appeal Plays")
Q: The batter lines a ball back up the middle that bounces off the pitcher's rubber and rolls foul in front of third base without touching a defensive player. Is this ruled a foul ball or fair ball?
A: