Runner on base hit with batted ball

[drh898]

Ok, so if there was no intentional interference (in ump's thinking) by runner on base and the fielder may have had a chance to make a play the ball is dead, batter awarded 1st, runners advance 1 base. If the ball hits the runner (still no intent) fielder had no chance on play (in ump's thinking) ball is live? What if the ball hits the runner (no interference) but causes ball to change direction enabling fielder to make a play somewhere. Seems the offense is penalized for something that was not intentional interference or is it tough luck? Or maybe I'm missing something?

By the way, thank you for letting me bounce these things off you. Plays come up sometimes that seem in the grey area and I know you guys have the answers, so thanks.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by drh898

Ok, so if there was no intentional interference (in ump's thinking) by runner on base and the fielder may have had a chance to make a play the ball is dead, batter awarded 1st, runners advance 1 base. If the ball hits the runner (still no intent) fielder had no chance on play (in ump's thinking) ball is live? What if the ball hits the runner (no interference) but causes ball to change direction enabling fielder to make a play somewhere. Seems the offense is penalized for something that was not intentional interference or is it tough luck? Or maybe I'm missing something?

If the nearest defender is behind the runner when hit by the FAIR batted ball, the ball is dead, the BR is awarded 1B and only runners forced move up one base. If the defender was not behind the runner when hit by the FAIR batted ball, the ball remains live.

If contact with the FAIR batted ball was intentional regardless of the location of the defender, the runner is out for INT. If the umpire believes the action was an attempt to prevent a double play (and this play must be available), the R/BR who, in the umpire's judgement, would have been out had the INT not occurred is retired.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

If contact with the FAIR batted ball was intentional regardless of the location of the defender, the runner is out for INT. If the umpire believes the action was an attempt to prevent a double play (and this play must be available), the R/BR who, in the umpire's judgement, would have been out had the INT not occurred is retired.

...but wouldn't the additional runner declared out be the immediate succeeding runner regardless of which runner the defense was trying to put out? When the interference by a runner occurs before they are put out we always get the succeeding runner. If it occurs after they are put out, we get the runner closest to home. Since the runner was not put out prior to the interference, the succeeding runner should be declared out. The only time I can find where we are to get the runner being played on out, is when a ball is blocked by offensive equipment.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by rwest

...but wouldn't the additional runner declared out be the immediate succeeding runner regardless of which runner the defense was trying to put out? When the interference by a runner occurs before they are put out we always get the succeeding runner. If it occurs after they are put out, we get the runner closest to home. Since the runner was not put out prior to the interference, the succeeding runner should be declared out. The only time I can find where we are to get the runner being played on out, is when a ball is blocked by offensive equipment.

Yep, you are correct. I don't like the ruling and it defies common sense, but it is right there in black and white.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by drh898

Ok, so if there was no intentional interference (in ump's thinking) by runner on base and the fielder may have had a chance to make a play the ball is dead, batter awarded 1st, runners advance 1 base.

FORCED runners advance 1 base, but otherwise ... correct.

If the ball hits the runner (still no intent) fielder had no chance on play (in ump's thinking) ball is live?

Correct.

What if the ball hits the runner (no interference) but causes ball to change direction enabling fielder to make a play somewhere. Seems the offense is penalized for something that was not intentional interference or is it tough luck?

They aren't really being penalized for anything... this is just like the ball taking an odd bounce off the base itself that allows defense to make a play they otherwise wouldn't have had a chance on.