NFHS rules:

Last night 0 out and with R1, we had a batted ball take a screaming one hopper to the pitcher. The pitcher turns to make a throw to first but can't seem to pull the ball out of his glove. He gathers himself and trys to get the ball out again, to no avail. Its then I see the ball clearly lodged in the webbing of his glove. Half the ball can be seen from the outside (back) of the glove and the other half is still inside the pocket. Its clearly wedged between the leather bindings. He's made 2 clear attempts to get it out, but can't. Do you kill the ball and award the bases or do you continue to let the kid try to get the ball out of his glove? Basically, how long do you give a player...if any...to try to get the ball "unlodged"?

For your info: I called the ball dead and awarded 2 bases...and man did I take the heat!

I'd give him until the earliest of:

1) He pulls the ball out (play stands)
2) He takes the glove off (award two bases)
3) Runners advance two bases (award two bases, but hey, that's where the runners are)

blueump,

By official interpretation, the ball remains "live" and "in play" until the fielder intentionally removes his glove while the ball is "stuck" in it.

If the player were unable to remove the ball and did <b>not</b> remove his glove, I believe you should leave the ball in play until action is "relaxed" and then call time. In that case you would not award any bases.

JM

NFHS 8-1-1f.
 

ART. 1...Ball becomes dead immediately when:
f. a fair batted ball:
5. lodges in players equipment or uniform

Therefore, the time that any umpire notices the lodged ball is the time when the ball is dead, and the awards are then made. It makes no difference if the ball subsequently becomes "unlodged" because the rule states that the ball is dead immediately upon lodging.

[Edited by dddunn3d on May 27th, 2005 at 03:19 PM]

dddunn3d,

Your cite would certainly apply if the fair batted ball became "lodged" in any part of the player's uniform or any piece of his equipment <b>other</b> than his glove. If the ball gets "stuck"/lodged in his glove/mitt, I believe the assertions I made above are correct. Well, at least the one about the ball remaing in play while the glove remains on his hand.

To tell the truth I'm actually not <b>sure</b> if the ball becomes "dead" when the player intentionally removes his glove (while the ball is "stuck" in it) or if it only becomes dead if he subsequently tosses it.

And I really can't tell what is supposed to happen if the player is simply <b>unable</b>, no matter how long or hard he tries, to get the ball "unstuck" from his glove.

Why don't you read "Situations 6 & 7" which can be found at the link below and then come back and tell us what <b>you</b> think.

http://www.nfhs.org/scriptcontent/va...Footer=BB_FOOT

JM

P.S. BTW, since you're going there anyway, you won't want to miss "Situation 3" either.

Discussed again ...
 

This was discussed way too much earlier in the season.

But basically Bob Jenkins gave the easiest analysis.

Keep it simple and easy to remember.

I don't know what kind of gloves these kids must be wearing, I've never seen a lodged ball in a glove yet in my 25+ years of calling.

Thanks
David

Re: Discussed again ...
 

David, it's those gloves with the waffle webs. If you don't maintain the lacing properly, the waffle stretches and a hard hit ball gets hung up pretty tight in there.

I've had one in ORB where F1 threw the whole shootin' match and got the out. That was my first and last (so far).