What's the Call? Base on Balls

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

In major league baseball, of course.

And for anyone else using OBR.

SDS was busy quoting J/R and JEA which are MLB based tomes and commenting on them contradicting each other. Merely pointing out that the MLBUM is the official ruling. That thereby trumps the others.

BTW, LL had it in writing before the MLBUM was published.

The other rulings were, in my mind, based on a "that isn't necessary so we'll not allow it" thought process rather than being rules based.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

In major league baseball, of course.

MLBUM does not use the word desertion, but gives examples of a B-R who goes to the dugout following a 3rd strike not caught. Reaching the dugout steps is considered the correct distance.

J/R uses the words "reasonable distance" under the desertion discussion.

A contradiction means there is a difference in interpretation. The contradiction appears to be the distance required to call the out, "reasonable distance" vs. "dugout steps".

Neither mentions a B-R who walks and does not touch 1B, but instead goes to the dugout steps to exchange helmet with a CR, most likely because this never happens in MLB, or any other level, except in this one example we are discussing. And I have never seen this happen. The B-R ALWAYS goes to 1b, stands on the base, and even after time is called and he can go to the dugout he stands there until the CR arrives.

So this is indeed a unique situation, and I would indeed call the B-R out for going to the dugout steps instead of going to 1B like he is supposed to. You would not and I respect your thoughts on that.

I also don't expect to ever have to apply this ruling because I have yet to see it happen.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Nick,

I don't think anybody thinks a base on balls as a result of the batter receiving 4 pitched ball is a dead ball.

When people think award, they usually are thinking of the dumbed-down FED rule 2-4-3, which allows a team to just call for an intentional walk, without the 4 wide ones. This is what I was referring to.

Also, apparently it really is an award of 1st when 4 pitched balls are called.

OK, but the OP clearly stated that it was a pitched BOB and not an award. And although it technically is an award, it is a live ball award. I just wanted to make sure that got covered for those who are not quite as up on the rules as others may be.