Quick Rules Question
 

USSSA Slow Pitch.

Runner on 1st. No Outs.
Batter hits line drive, caught by the pitcher...
... who throws the ball to 1st in attempt to double up the runner.
Ball sails over 1B's head and out of play.

My partner gives the runner just 1 base, I suggest that it should be two.
He says something about the runner not having gotten back to 1st base when the ball went out of play being a factor....

Proper ruling here?

I don't umpire slow pitch softball BUT: I know that in fast pitch softball (NFHS, NCAA, ASA, and USSSA) and baseball (NFHS, NCAA, and MLB/OBR) two bases are awarded from the time of the pitch in this situation (first play by an infielder). Therefore the runner on first is awarded two bases from first base, the runner ends up on third base. And I can't see how slow pitch would be any different from fast pitch.

MTD, Sr.

I'm fairly certain that USSSA differs from most sanctioning bodies and counts 1B as 'one' - since the runner is returning to the base - and 2B as two.

ASA, NFHS, NCAA are the sanctioning bodies I work for and they all would award the runner 2B and 3B.

It's true- USSSA slow pitch rules have this oddball exception to a base award for a ball thrown out of play. To the best of my knowledge, they are the only organization with such a rule.

From their rule book:


Sec. 9. BASE RUNNERS MAY, AND SHALL, RETURN TO BASES AT VARIOUS
TIMES:

D. A Base Runner returning to a base to retag a base on a fly ball caught and
thrown by a Fielder to any base. If the ball is thrown by a Fielder into the
restricted area, the Base Runner shall be awarded the base he must retouch,
plus one base. Since the Base Runner is required to regain the base he first
occupied, he is awarded that base and only one more.

EFFECT Sec. 9. D. If the Base Runner is in contact with the base, he will be awarded two bases from the time of the throw. If he leaves the base too soon, he will be awarded the base he must retouch plus one base.

Bret:

It is a good thing I don't umpire slow pitch, :D . I would have screwed the pooch on this one. This is a case where a little knowledge is worse that a lot of knowledge. Thank's for giving me the straight poop on this situation.

MTD, Sr.

Thank you sir!
 

I stand corrected. Thanks.