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When the ball hits the ODB, we have a blocked ball, and, therefore a dead ball. We have nothing else if you judge that this did not interfere with a defensive player's opportunity to make an out (7-1.E); this can be because there was no action, or because the runners had already safely advanced.
In all cases, the ball becomes dead immediately, and runners are returned to the last base touched (8-5.G(3)); that, in itself, is already a penalty to the offense for the actions (even if inadvertant) of the ODB. If the blocked ball kept a defensive player from an opportunity to make an out, then the runner closest home is out, too.
The ODB can stay in the dugout if there isn't enough room to be on the field; if on the field, s/he is responsible to stay out of live play.
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Thu Jul 07, 2005, 04:53pm
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