Quote:
|
Originally Posted by njdevs00cup
If a batted ball hits a baserunner on the base, is the runner out when:
the infield is at normal depth (did not have an opportunity to field)?
the infield is drawn in and had an opportunity to make a play?
infield fly situation?
|
The Infield Fly rule situation is a well known exception. The runner is
not out unless he intentionally causes himself to make contact with the ball.
As far as OBR is concerned the accepted interpretation has very little to do with whether the infield is playing in or not.
If a runner is struck by a batted ball (whether on the base or not), he is always OUT unless the ball passes
within the immediate reach of an infielder (without touching him) and there is no other infielder that could have made the play.
Let's say there is a runner at 2nd and 3rd with the infield playing on the infield grass for the play at the plate. The batter hits a sharp groundball up the middle that is completely unplayable by either F6 or F4. The ball hits R2 (whether on or off the bag).
He's out!
Another very common scenario:
R1 stealing on the pitch. The batter hits a sharp grounder to the right side that would have easily split the F3 and F4 for a hit. But the ball hits R1.
He's out!
One more scenario:
R2 and R3. Infield playing in. A ground ball gets past F6 and strikes R2 who was directly behind F6. Whether F6 touched the ball or not is irrelevant. The ball remains live and R2 is
not out.
Had that ball been completely out-of-reach of F6 (as in the first scenario), R2 would be declared out, even if the ball "passed" F6.
Getting struck by a batted ball is just another way for a runner to be out. The reason he is not out when it passes within the immediate vicinity of a fielder is because the runner is often screened by the fielder and cannot make a fair attempt to avoid the ball because he can't see it.
But, under OBR, whether the infield is "in" or "out" is irrelevant. It's all about whether the ball has passed a fielder's
immediate vicinity.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN