[umpjim]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

This was my thought as well, however the umpire in question, who is also in charge of officials for our state athletic association said it is a 2 base award.

As others have said, when a fair batted ball is deflected out of play it is a 2 base award. If this situation actually happened, as it was presented, I would have gotten it wrong.

I'm torn on my opinion of this rule. I think the rule is unfair because it takes away what would have been a fair ball and possible home run from the offense. At the same time, for the defense to come over and make a play to touch the ball, means they likely have made a very good play just to get in position for this to happen.

I think this situation is not the intent of the deflected out of play rule, but is a consequence of said rule. I think the reason for the rule is the balls that are line drives or hard grounders that deflect off the defender and bounds away into DBT. In that case the 2 base award is appropriate.

Being torn on your opinion and thinking a rule is unfair, not a good mind state for an umpire.