[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by BretMan

USSSA slow pitch (but not their fastpitch) has the rule that if a runner leaves early on a caught fly ball, then a subsequent throw goes out of play, they count the two-base award as the one left early, then one more forward base. So, a runner who started out on first, then was between first and second when the throw was made, would be placed on second, instead of third.

(I don't know if that was ever expressed as "one plus one", but it does kind of tie into the myth.)

Here's a strange play (and a ball call) from my tournament last weekend that relates to base awards:

Runners on first and third. Pitch comes in and F2 fires to first on a pick-off attempt. Runner dives back in safely. F3 then fires to third, taking a shot at the other runner, and the ball sails out of play.

Runner from first trots down to second an I (the base umpire) point her to third base. She advances to third and is on the bag when the plate umpire steps out and waves her back to second.

I'm kind of like, "What's that about?". Nobody complains or questions the runner placement. I keep my trap shut waiting for some kind of appeal or protest. One doesn't come and we play on.

Later, between innings, I ask the plate umpire why he only gave the runner one base. He says it was because she was heading back to first on the play! I tried explaining to him why that was wrong, but he seemed unconvinced.

By the way, this tournament was the first ever I had worked under the NAFA sanction. I could probably start five or six more threads about the weird rulings, uniforms and mechanics I encountered!

U right bretman, by NAFA that was the wrong call. See 7.4 2 and Notes.