Still First Play by an Infielder...

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Had this scenario today, just wanted to get some thoughts on it.

R1 stealing, line drive to F5, who bobbles, then chases the ball down and throws into DBT.

I award R1 home (after thinking in my head for about 3 seconds about whether this should still be the first play by an infielder). He was past 2nd at the TOT.

The reason I ruled this was two fold. First off (and I'm sure this doesn't matter but it went into my logic for the 3 seconds I thought), F5 had to make more than a step and reach to retrieve the ball. I thought perhaps since he would no longer be a privledged fielder, his throw wasn't the first play anymore.

Also, I thought, what if a R1 beat out a throw to second, and then F4 threw into DBT. That isn't still the first play by an infielder, home should be awarded.

So, thoughts, and rules citations?

Unless BR had also reached first before F4 threw the ball, this is still a TOP award, R1 to third.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Unless BR had also reached first before F4 threw the ball, this is still a TOP award, R1 to third.

I think you're responding to a different scenario. The second question was this: F5 bobbles, throws late to F4 at 2B where R1 is safe. F4 then relays to 1B but throws out of play.

This is no longer the 1st play by an infielder, so the award is 2 bases from time of throw. R1 (now R2 at TOT) is awarded home, and BR is awarded either 2B or 3B depending on whether he had acquired 1B at TOT.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I think you're responding to a different scenario. The second question was this: F5 bobbles, throws late to F4 at 2B where R1 is safe. F4 then relays to 1B but throws out of play.

This is no longer the 1st play by an infielder, so the award is 2 bases from time of throw. R1 (now R2 at TOT) is awarded home, and BR is awarded either 2B or 3B depending on whether he had acquired 1B at TOT.

No, I was answering the first question, where OP improperly sent R1 home.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

No, I was answering the first question, where OP improperly sent R1 home.

OK, but F5 threw the ball in the first question, and F4 in the second. That's what threw me off.