Interesting Call!!

[ukumpire]

Here is one that has many of the ISF Umps thinking:
Brief: Count 2-1: Outs 1: R1 & R3
Situation: Batter bunts ball just outside the box, down right; BR goes past ball; ball still fair; Catcher comes towards the ball and kicks gravel at the ball which in the umpires judgement forces the ball into, and stops, in foul.

What do you call?

[NCASAUmp]

Can't speak for ISF, but in just about any ball game, I'd say it should be ruled a fair ball. To me, it's the same as pushing a player off the bag while tagging them: the defense's actions forced the situation.

I once saw a MLB pitcher blow on a ball near the foul line, trying to push it foul. Can't remember the ruling, as this was many years ago.

[SWFLguy]

In the Major League Baseball game, I believe it was the 3rd baseman that was blowing air on a slow roller down the line on and artificial surface. They let it go and called it foul, but the next year a rule specific to that was installed.
I'd say that the fielder caused the ball to go fould--therefore--
FAIR ball !

[Bluefoot]

The MLB scenario was Lenny Randle, 3B for the Seattle Mariners, who blew the slow roller foul on the turf inside the Kingdome. The umps did rule against him, and awarded the batter first base on the play.

As for the softball/gravel play, it sounds like a HTBT play. But fielders are not allowed to do that intentionally (cause a ball to go foul), are they?

If a foul ball is rolling toward fair territory, can a fielder throw their glove at the ball to keep it from rolling fair? Or is that considered the same as throwing a glove at a fair ball and penalized as such?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Bluefoot

The MLB scenario was Lenny Randle, 3B for the Seattle Mariners, who blew the slow roller foul on the turf inside the Kingdome. The umps did rule against him, and awarded the batter first base on the play.

As for the softball/gravel play, it sounds like a HTBT play. But fielders are not allowed to do that intentionally (cause a ball to go foul), are they?

If a foul ball is rolling toward fair territory, can a fielder throw their glove at the ball to keep it from rolling fair? Or is that considered the same as throwing a glove at a fair ball and penalized as such?

Speaking ASA

I'm not aware of any rule forbidding a player from doing such a thing and yes, a player can throw their glove at a ball over foul territory without penalty.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Speaking ASA

I'm not aware of any rule forbidding a player from doing such a thing and yes, a player can throw their glove at a ball over foul territory without penalty.

I suddenly have the image in my head of softball turning into a curling match: players digging a slope next to a ball that's on the foul line (before it's come to rest, of course)...

I say that in jest, but as far as I can tell, there's nothing against that in ASA. I don't agree with it, but I can't rule otherwise and be backed up by the rules.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Speaking ASA

I'm not aware of any rule forbidding a player from doing such a thing and yes, a player can throw their glove at a ball over foul territory without penalty.

And also fair territory, IF the glove doesn't contact the ball.

Bob