Quote:
Originally posted by Jim Porter
Rule on the following:
-R1, two outs.
-Pitcher balks and delivers
-R1 is off with the pitch, and is obstructed by F3
-Catcher interferes with the B1, but B1 smacks a single to right anyway
-R1 misses second base on his way to third (not caused by the obstruction)
-F9 bobbles the ball in right field.
-R1 rounds third and is heading home when, seeing F9 gain control of the ball, R1 retreats back to third base.
-B1 rounds second, and seeing R1 retreating back to third, he retreats back to second.
-F9 throws to F4 to try to put out the retreating B1, and B1 unintentionally interferes with the throw.
-The throw deflects off B1, skips by F4, bounces across the diamond, and dribbles through a hole in the fence and out of play.
-Once play resumes, the defense properly appeals R1's miss of second base.
Sort all that out, folks. Make the rulings, place the runners, how many score? Have fun!
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It seems the only part that confused a folk or two was whether, since R1 missed second base, he could be considered as having advanced at least one base to fulfill the balk and catcher's interference requirement. But most of you sorted that out - even though he missed the base, he still advanced at least one base because he "reached" that base. A missed base is the same as a base touched
until an appeal is made.
So here we have the solution:
1. Balk is called and it is a delayed dead ball.
2. Obstruction is called, and it is a Type B delayed dead ball. Protect R1 to at least second base.
3. Catcher's interference is called, and a delayed dead ball.
4. R1 advances at least one base when he misses second.
5. The bobble by F9 should have us revise R1's protection to at least third base. (possibly home based on your judgment)
6. B1's unintentional interference with a thrown ball is incidental, the play continues.
7. The ball enters dead ball territory, and time is imposed.
8. R1 and B1 are both awarded home plate on the overthrow.
9. R1 and B1 both advanced at least one base, and the balk, as well as the catcher's interference, is ignored. The play stands as is.
10. The appeal of R1 at second is viable, it is a force out, the third out, and no runs score.
11. The umpires run like hell.
Keep an eye out for Umpire's Nightmare #2. I figured I'd make the first one easy. Just wait for #2!