Batter hit after swing

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by rwest

This seems simple to me. Am I missing something obvious? You award the runner home on the overthrow, but the runner must complete his baserunning responsibilities by returning to touch 1b, and touching second both on his way back and on his way to third and home.

This brings up a few questions.

Do you wait a few seconds to see if the runner returns to 1st before awarding home? If so, isn't that giving away something? Or do you just award the runner the 2 bases and watch to see if he returns?

Yes, the umpire should wait on any award until you are satisfied the runner has completed what running tasks they choose to. Then you announce the award. Part of the reason is that if the umpire just says, "Dead ball, two bases", the runner is just doing what you, the umpire, told them to do. IOW, there could be a discussion of the umpire placing the runner in jeopardy.

Also, once a runner has advanced to the next awarded base, they can not return to touch a missed base or a base left too soon.

Which is why you hesitate announcing the award.

So what if they do return even when by rule they can't? Do you say anything or just remain quiet? Since they are not allowed to return, the appeal is still on. I believe if I say something that would be giving the defense an advantage.

If this should happen, you allow them to return, but still honor the appeal as if the base were never retouched.