Ball unintentionally kicked into DBT - NFHS
 

NFHS
R1. Pitcher delivers a pitch to the plate which bounces off of the catcher's shin guard and is heading toward the dug out. As the catcher chases after the ball, he unintentionally kicks the ball into the dug out (dbt). What is the base award? Please provide rule reference.

Well, what do you think it is?

Please provide rule references :)

I have not been able to locate a rule reference in the NFHS to clearly address this situation. If it were to have happened to me during a game, I would have awarded two bases from the time of the pitch. I'm probably wrong here, that's why I'm asking.

Is 8.3.3K anything like your play?

Thank you. That's exactly what I needed.

Bob, those of us without a FED Casebook may be curious to hear what 8.3.3K says.

FED 8.3.3 Situation K:

F1 throws a pitch that strikes F2 on a shinguard and rolls away. The ball (a) has stopped moving and F2, attempting to pick it up, kicks it into DBT, or (b) is rolling and deflects off F2's glove into DBT or (c) F2 intentionally kicks the ball into DBT.

Ruling:

In (a), F2 applied the force that caused the ball to go into DBT, so the kick (throw) results in all runners being awarded two bases from the base occupied at the time of the kick (throw). The pitch is considered to be over. In (b), the force on the pitch caused the ball to go into DBT, so the award to all runners is one base from the base occupied at the TOP. In (c), if the umpire judges the pitch would have gone into DBT without the kick, one base is awarded. If the kick is judged to have caused the ball to go into DBT, two bases are awarded.





-Josh

What if the ball bounces off the shinguard behind the batter. The batter, attempting to get out of the way, backs up and inadvertantly kicks the ball which then goes out of play?

One base.