Quote:
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.
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So you consider it unfair if a defender leaps, reaches over the fence and catches a ball in flight that would have been a home run save a great defensive play? The offense failed.
OTOH, if the ball is short of the fence, but deflects off a player without hitting the ground or fence and clears the fence in fair territory, the batter-runner is awarded a HR/4B award even though it was undeserved. But the defense failed.
IMO, no problem with this rule and is consistent throughout the game.