[SamNVa]

The ASA rule reads:

8-1-E The batter becomes a batter runner when... a fair batted ball strikes the person, equipment, or clothing of an umpire ...

EFFECT:

1. if after touching a fielder (including the pitcher), the ball is in play
   
   
2. if after passing a fielder and no other infielder had the chance to make an out, the ball is in play.
   
   
3. if before passing a fielder without being touched, the ball is dead. If the ball hits a runner who is off base before it passes a fielder (other than the pitcher) or if it has passed a fielder and another fielder has the possibility to make an out, the runner is out and the batter is awarded 1st.
   
   
4. if a fair batted ball hits an umpire before passing a fielder (excluding the pitcher) the ball is dead and the BR is awarded 1st.

The FED rule reads:

5.1.1 Ball becomes dead immediately when:

-f a fair ball...


1. touches a runner or umpire before touching any fielder and before passing any fielder other than the pitcher (Exception 8-4-2.n which deals with the runner in the case of a 2nd fielder having a play);
   
   
2. touches a runner after passing through or by a fielder and another fielder could have made a play on the ball (same as 8-4-2.n IMO but referenced here any way??)
   
   
3. touches a spectator,
   
   
4. goes over, through, or wedges in the fence.

The "OBR" leagues rule reads

6.08 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to 1st base ... when -

(d) a fair ball touches an umpire or a runner before touching a fielder.
If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher or having touched a fielder including the pitcher, the ball is in play. (No mention of the 2nd fielder here.

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So it appears that in FED and OBR, a fair ball which hits an umpire after passing a fielder (other than the pitcher) is still in play whether a 2nd fielder had a play on the ball or not, but the ASA rule seems to indicate (by implication in 8.1.E-2) that the ball would be dead if a 2nd fielder had a chance to make an out although 8.1.E-3 and 4 could be construed to indicate otherwise.

So do you folks see this as a real rule difference or possibly just incomplete or poor wording in the ASA book or the FED book or the "OBR" books?