[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SAump

Rule: Fair batted ball or thrown ball lodges in defensive player's or umpire's uniform or equipment.

Penalty: Two base award (batter and runners) at time of pitch.

Just wondering about the rationale for awarding two bases for a very unlikely occurrence. Far more serious occurrences/incidents/infractions award only one base. Most B/R's would not attempt that extra base and I doubt many of those who did would be succesful. A one base award seems sufficient for a baseball lodging inside one's clothing. Can anyone justify any other reason than the current rule for awarding two bases?

I agree. I like the WUA interpretation found in the MLBUM. It seems more fair.


8-21-03 @ WUA Site — When a live ball enters a player's uniform or the catcher's gear, the ball is to be ruled dead and no subsequent outs can be obtained by the defense. The umpire is then directed to employ common sense and fairness and place the runners such that the act of the ball becoming dead is nullified. The umpire may not, however, enforce any outs that he thinks may have occurred had the ball remained live. Outs occurring before the ball went out of play stand.

The new interpretation goes on to emphasize that a ball stuck in a fielder's glove is not to be considered out of play; the ball remains live. It is legal for one fielder to throw the glove with a live ball stuck in it to another fielder. A fielder who possesses the ball/glove combination in his own hand or glove can complete a tag of a runner or base, just as if he were holding only the
ball.


Tim.