Batted Ball Hits Runner on Base
 

Help.....talking with a couple of fellow umpires tonight discussing some seldom used rules. I commented on the fact that if a runner standing on a base in fair territory and if he is hit by a batted ball (before it passes a fielder) that runner is out. They both disagreed with me and one said that is an OBR rule but not a Fed rule. Am I wrong???:confused:

They both have a lot more experience than me. I thought this was a rule in all aspects of baseball/softball.

You are correct. The "experienced" umpires are wrong.

Rule 8-4-2-k EXCEPTION only protects a runner touching his base when he is hit by an infield fly.

Otherwise, he is out if he is contacted by a fair batted ball before it touches an infielder, or after it passes any fielder, except the pitcher , and the umpire is convinced that another fielder has a play.

Runner is out. SDS is correct, unfortunately the umpires are wrong. This is the same in all rule sets.

No, you are not wrong. What we may have here is the fallacy of "experience." These guys sound like umpires with one year's experience, ten times, rather than ten years of experience.

thanks....When I'm the "Rookie" on the field it is sometimes hard when my experienced partner hasn't studied the rule book(s) as hard as I have. I totally find umpiring to be fascinating & I really strive to get every call right.

In a situation like these rare calls, if my partner has made a ruling I know is incorrect...do I QUIETLY correct him on the field and make the play right or do I talk with him/her after the game? It hasn't happened yet. What is the protocol if a situation like this comes up?:confused:

As a coach I always had the rule book(s) with me in my "score book/stats case".....as an umpire I WILL NOT carry it with me to the field. I've been told it is up to the disgruntled coach to show me in the book that I am wrong.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Don't do that - it's a ticket to the parking lot. Just tell him you're protesting based on the rule.

Rich, I am now the umpire (rookie).......I used to be the coach

Don't allow a coach to bring a rule book out onto the field. Warn him not to continue towards you with the book. If he doesn't turn around and go put the book away, and continues toward you, run him.

Those "experienced" umpires must have got their experience doing softball. That is the only sport where the runner is safe if he/she is on the base when hit by the ball.

Go to the other umpire -- away from the players / coaches.

1) "Are you sure? Because I thought the rule was xxxx"

-or-

2) "I'm 100% sure that the rule is xxxx and I'll take the heat if I'm wrong."

Especially if the other umpire called it, leave it up to him to make the change. If you made the call and he "overrode" it, then it's more political.

Either way, look it up together after the game -- at least one of you will learn something,