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Originally Posted by David Emerling
In my original post, it was not my intent to suggest that the catcher was loafing or just "standing at homeplate."
The pitch was in the dirt, the catcher went to his knees to block it, the ball deflected off him and headed for the dugout. The catcher pursued the ball like any other catcher. No loafing.
The ball was headed for the dugout and was rolling fast enough that it certainly would have gone into the dugout had it not hit the on deck batter.
Just so this is clear, the on deck batter was standing in the on deck circle, which was near the entrance to the dugout. He was where he was supposed to be.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
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If you're clarifying, can you describe ODB's actions? I think it makes a difference. A ball that just hits him is nothing in this case, and you've got to give the benefit of the doubt to him...
Did he see the ball, and watch it slowly roll into his feet? If I'm going to rule as described above, this is about what it would have to be (and what I envisioned from your OP).