[greymule]

Regarding a runner passing another runner, can anyone resolve an apparent contradiction between the ASA 2002 rule book and the 2001 casebook?

Rule 8-8D says, "[The runner is out] when a runner physically passes a preceding runner before that runner has been put out. If this was the third out of the inning, any runs scoring prior to the out for passing a preceding runner would count." Then "Effect: The ball is in play and the runner is out." Note that it says, "The ball is in play."

POE #37 apparently reinforces this live-ball stipulation: "Passing a runner occurs during a live ball. It can occur while runners are advancing or returning to a base. . . ." It goes on to give a common example.

However, in the casebook, play 8.8-15 reads as follows: R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B, R3 on 1B with two outs. Batter B4 hits the ball over the fence for a home run. R1 and R2 score, however, [sic] R3 misses 3B and when returning to touch it, B4 passes R3. RULING: Two runs score (R1 and R2). Even though the ball is dead, B4 cannot pass R3. This is a 'time' play and two runs score." Then it gives the obvious exceptions: Super, etc.

So the rule implies live ball, the POE explicitly states live ball, and casebook says even though the ball is dead.

The following play happened to me a couple a years ago:

R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B, one out. B3 hit a line drive down the LF line. R1, a big heavy slugger who might have figured he wouldn't be able to score if the ball was caught, ran a few steps down the line toward home. R2 tagged up at 2B. F7 made a backhand catch and then fired a powerful low throw that, from his position on the line, could have been to either 3B or home. R1 ran back to 3B and then wrapped his head in his arms to protect himself from the throw, which shot past him, skipped in front of the catcher, and bounced into the stands. As R1 crouched on third still guarding his head, R2 jubilantly sprinted around third, passing R1.

I called R2 out for passing R1 and, since that was the third out of the inning, no runs scored. The coach of the offense argued that since the runners were awarded bases and the ball was dead, the fact that one passed another was irrelevant. (Then he admitted he had no idea but was just trying to get a call.) One interpreter told me the same thing, but he's been wrong on many other occasions. At a clinic, another interpreter (state official) told me that the ball has to be live, that if, for example, a batter hit a high blast and then passed the runner on first before the ball hit the ground, he'd be out, but not if the ball first hit the ground over the fence. But it seems to me that even when bases are awarded on an overthrow, the runners still have to run the bases properly.

In OBR and Fed, you're out if you pass a preceding runner, live ball or dead. What's the rule in ASA?