Ball hits runner

[Larry1953]

Baseball Rule Change Timeline

This timeline shows that the runner out if hit with batted ball goes back to 1880, the same year the catcher had to catch the third strike on the fly. That year it took 8 balls for a walk instead of 9. It leads you to think that it was common strategy by the offense to try to get hit with the ball to keep the defense from fielding it. It seems to be one of those rules everybody seems to get, "Hey, the ball hit the runner, he's out" -- not much argument from anybody there. At least until the myth of string theory came along.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Dave Reed

OK, I'll accept that they want a FED-like interpretation.

I'm still bemused that "passed all infielders who have a chance to make a play on the ball" could imply fielders other than those who are roughly within a step and a reach as the ball goes by.

And that's what makes it so hard to call different rule codes. Kid playing FED ball has this play and runner is safe. The next weekend he's playing OBR rules in summer league game, and the runner is called out.

Can't blame the fans for being upset with the umpires call on that play.

Thanks
David

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by David B

Can't blame the fans for being upset with the umpires call on that play.

Disagree.

I can't blame the fans for not knowing the rules differences, and wondering about the call, but they shouldn't be "upset" over it.