Dropped ball in windup

[Go Box]

Our pitcher dropped the ball while in her windup. There was a runner on 1st base. The ump didn't call dead ball. The runner on 1st went to 2nd and we got her out. The ump said it was a ball and sent her back to 1st. She should have been out, right?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Go Box

Our pitcher dropped the ball while in her windup. There was a runner on 1st base. The ump didn't call dead ball. The runner on 1st went to 2nd and we got her out. The ump said it was a ball and sent her back to 1st. She should have been out, right?

USA or NFHS:
No.

Dropped ball during the pitch, if that is what you mean by windup, is like any pitch, live ball - ball for the batter (unless she swings) - runners can advance.
Assume you are talking about accidental, not deliberate/

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Go Box

Our pitcher dropped the ball while in her windup. There was a runner on 1st base. The ump didn't call dead ball. The runner on 1st went to 2nd and we got her out. The ump said it was a ball and sent her back to 1st. She should have been out, right?

More information required to give a completely accurate answer. This depends completely on the definition of when a pitch begins.

1) What set of rules?

NFHS (high school) says the pitch starts with any motion associated with a pitch, so it is a pitch, ball on the batter, live ball, play on. The runner's attempt to advance is at her own risk.

USA/ASA would ask if the "windup" you reference was before or after the mandatory "touch" of the hands; if before, it is a live ball, and nothing else. If after, it is a pitch, it is a ball on the batter, and a live ball.

No rules set that I know of would put the runner back on first.

[Go Box]

That's what I thought too. The runner that went to 2nd should have been out since we threw to 2nd and got her out. Right?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Go Box

That's what I thought too. The runner that went to 2nd should have been out since we threw to 2nd and got her out. Right?

As others have said, it is a live ball, so any base advances or outs made are legal. The runner in your game should have been ruled out.

The only exception would be if the umpire judged that the pitcher intentionally dropped the ball; then, an illegal pitch would be declared.

[CecilOne]

Welcome to the forum, Go Box.
What you see above is typical of responses, mine cryptic/brief; Steve's more detailed and always precise.