Brain Teaser

[UmpTTS43]

Balk, CI and Running Lane INT.

The order in which these infractions occured has no bearing on how to apply the penalties.

By virtue of batter out due to RLI, enforce CI. Since runners were stealing, they are awarded those bases they were attempting to steal. BR 1st, R2 3rd, R3 home. Since all runners, including the BR, advanced one base, the balk is disregarded. OM has option of penalty or play. If OM chooses penalty, the above is enforced. If OM wants play, BR would have been out for RLI absent the balk. Since a balk was called, and all runners including the BR did not advance one base, you ignore the RLI and enforce the balk. R3 home, R2 3rd. Batter returns to bat with pitch nullified.

At all levels of amatuer ball, I will be explaining both options to OM and let him choose prior to making any awards.

At the pro level, I am making the CI award at the end of play and letting OM ask about the options. In fact, I'm sure both skippers will be out for an explanation anyway.