Missed Home Plate
 

Umpire exam question:

A runner successfully steals second base and the catcher's throw is much too high. As the runner slides into the bag, the second baseman throws his glove and stops the ball. What is the base award for the the original R1?



PS sorry about the misnomer on the thread title. I changed my mind on the question and forgot to change the thread!!

Two bases from the illegal touching, so it depends on how "as the runner slides into the bag" is interpreted.

I tend to agree with the poor wording. I read it that the glove hits the ball just before the runner gets to the bag and so I said third base. They said the proper award was home.

Bob's explanation is correct, tibear, however, give any benefit of the doubt to the offense here. If the detached gear made contact with the ball roughly at the same time as the runner touched or passed second base, award him home, but be sure it isn't obvious that he didn't yet reach the bag.

Sounds like home would be the proper award. 2 bases on a thrown ball, 3 bases on a batted ball.

Or 4 if the ball had a chance of clearing the fence in flight...although if the SS or 2B is the one throwing the glove, I doubt you have a HR situation on hand.

Two bases...thrown ball, send him home