fuel for discussion

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown
Why would we award two bases for a ball that is trapped in player equipment? Is it really to reward the offense for a job well done? Or is it to penalize the defense for this undefensible, serendipitous, anomaly? WHY? It is a simple question. Why is there not a simple, LOGICAL answer? Why do we enforce rulebook legality when we have the capacity to think logically and make an appropriate enforcement? It is done time and time again for basketball using the advantage/disadvantage principles. I think there are times we do this in baseball as well.

It is the defense that is going to be slighted in these unforeseeable, undefensible situations and I think it is a very poor judgement to award two bases unless the ball really is so severly trapped that it is impossible for the defense to make a play... then I do agree - the offense should be limited to two bases because the defense has done nothing wrong... and the offense has done nothing spectacularly right to warrant a live ball, run until you get home.

If the ball really is trapped such that no play can be made, then the rule fits. And it is likely more reward than the offense deserves.

Let's assume R1 moving on the pitch. The come-backer to the pitcher lodges in his glove. He's frantic as B1 speeds down the line, so he tosses glove and ball to F3. Meanwhile, speedy R1 has rounded second, sees the first baseman with TWO gloves, and heads for third.

F3, frantic now, throws....