[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by SRW

From ASA's Rule Clarifications for March:



In this situation, I'm proposing that Rule 7 should apply here, not Rule 8. To go a step forward, I could apply 2 separate rules and have two distinctly separate rulings!

First: The way the situation is written, the NUS has stated that Rule 8 is the rule reference, which means they assume B4 has now become a BR. However, the situation never states that B4 became a BR; and in fact, takes it one step beyond by stating that R2 attempted to steal 2B. If B4 had become a BR, then R2 would be advancing, not stealing. Therefore I propose that B4 never became a BR. B4 is still a batter, and Rule 8.2.F.3 does not apply.

Second: If B4 is a batter (and not a BR), then Rule 7 applies. Specifically, there are 2 rules an umpire could apply here: 7.6.R or 7.6.S. Rule 7.6.R allows for the umpire to judge intent. Rule 7.6.S doesn't. So on this play, I could have a dead ball-out, or I could have a safe. It all depends on which rule I want to apply, and how it's applied.

Thoughts? Am I missing something here?

Methinks that this seeming contradiction or omission is the exact reason this play was included in the ASA Clarifications - that that ASA is quite clearly telling us what they want called here by including it.