Bullpen Pitcher Fields Ball

[bob jenkins]

Play: The bullpen mound is on the field of play, and S1, a pitcher for the (a) OFFENSIVE, or (b) DEFENSIVE team is warming up when B5 hits a fair ball that curves into the bullpen area. S1, thinking the ball was foul, picks up the ball.

Ruling:?

Is it different for FED, NCAA, OBR? Is it different in (a) and (b)?

[JJ]

In NCAA, I would apply Rule 4, Section 8, which says, "If there is interference with a live batted or thrown ball by anyone other than players, coaches, or umpires, the umpire shall rule as to it being intentional or unintentional.
a. If it is intentional, the ball shall be declared dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall award the offended team appropriate compensation that, in his opinion, that would have resulted had interference not taken place."

From where I sit, a pitcher warming up in the bullpen is not a player - he's a potential substitute.

I would apply the same logic in Pro rules as well (though of course I could not cite the NCAA rule).

JJ

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by JJ

In NCAA, I would apply Rule 4, Section 8, which says, "If there is interference with a live batted or thrown ball by anyone other than players, coaches, or umpires, the umpire shall rule as to it being intentional or unintentional.
a. If it is intentional, the ball shall be declared dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall award the offended team appropriate compensation that, in his opinion, that would have resulted had interference not taken place."

From where I sit, a pitcher warming up in the bullpen is not a player - he's a potential substitute.

I would apply the same logic in Pro rules as well (though of course I could not cite the NCAA rule).

JJ

So, you'd give BR the "value" of the hit -- at least first base, with the benefit of the doubt going against S1's team?

That's what I'd do, too. In all codes.

It's not what RefMag has as the quiz answer.

(and, I know it's not the first time they've made a mistake. I'm just trying to see if I missed anything.)

[MD Longhorn]

What does Young Referee Misleader Magazine say on the issue?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

What does Young Referee Misleader Magazine say on the issue?

If S1 is on the DEFENSIVE team, rule as I did above.

If S1 is on the OFFENSIVE team, BR is out in NCAA and OBR. (In FED, the ruling is the same as above.)

[JJ]

Following up on my previous post, the Pro rule to cite is 3:15. It is actually a bit more clear than the NCAA book - the Pro book says "...except members of the offensive team participating in the game, or a coach....or an umpire...". That tells me that players not actually playing in the game are not considered players for the purpose of this rule.

JJ

[_Bruno_]

(OBR)
if the "substitute" in the Bullpen is from the offensive team, i'd call time the moment he touches the ball intentionally and send the BR back to the last legally touched base or first base.

if he's from the defensive team, i'd award the BR the base i think he would have reached - the benefit of the doubt goes to the offensive team.