What has to happen to be awarded a single base or two bases

[GarthB]

Gary:

This a multi-faceted question with an appropriate number of answers. I'm at work right now, so I just have some time to get the ball rolling. I'm sure others will jump in with more examples.

First off all, there are instances in which a runner is awarded two bases, but to the uninitiated, it may look like he is receiving just one. Example:

Batter hits grounder to shortstop. When he makes the throw to first, F6 throws the ball over the head of F3 and into deadball territory. The ball is dead, the umpire will call time and award the runner two bases. But the award is based on the last legally held base of the runner at the time of pitch (top). In this case, the runner was at home, thus he is awarded first and second, two bases.

Some in the stands will think that he was going to get first on the hit and since he is now standing at second he only received a one base award. You know that's not the case.

Next, during a pick-off attempt the pitcher throws the ball into deadball territory. Again, time is called. Now then where was the pitcher? If he threw "from the rubber" the runner will receive a one base award. If the pitcher had disengaged he is now, for the purposes of base awards, considered a fielder and the runner would receive an award of two bases.

I'll let some others discuss time of throw options and different scenarios in which runners may receive different base awards such as toucing a batted ball with detached equipment and pitches deflecting off catchers into dugouts. I've got a class coming in.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 4th, 2003 at 03:34 PM]