Application of 9.01(c)

[Dave Hensley]

Originally posted by akalsey
Ok, so other than bird strikes, where should 9.01(c) be invoked? Has anyone ever actually used it and what was the situation?

Here are two plays given by Jim Evans in his Baseball Rules Annotated, as examples of how and when 9.01(c) would be invoked:

---

Situations: Runners on first and third...one out. The pitcher delivers as the runner from first attempts to steal
second. The catcher fires a white protective sponge that he usually wears inside his mitt toward second...then easily picks off a baffled runner at third with the real ball. What's your ruling?

RULING: Nullify the out and eject the catcher for confusing the offensive team and making a travesty of the game.

Runner on 1st...3-2count...l out. The runner is off and running on the pitch. The batter takes "Ball 4" but the catcher throws to the 2nd baseman covering. The throw is in time to nab the runner who is unaware of the batter's status. The umpire erroneously calls the runner out. The runner gets up and advances toward his dugout. Realizing the runner should have been awarded 2nd, the 2nd baseman tags him again while off the base. Does this out stand?
RULING: The runner stepped off the base as a result of the umpire's improper call. This is a correctable umpire's
error, and the umpire should nullify the out. Though not covered specifically in these rues, this rule is in accordance with the "doctrine of common sense and fair play."

---

A couple of more examples - in youth ball an ejection for unsafe play, such as for recklessly throwing a bat after hitting the ball, is done under the authority of 9.01(c). If a fielder simply pushes a runner off a base he is occupying, and then tags him out, your nullification of that action would be pursuant to your authority under 9.01(c).