Dead ball question

[AtlUmpSteve]

HTBT, absolutely. That's the "partial immunity". We don't seem to be disgreeing on the concept, just how we envision the described play in the OP.

When I think NFHS slowpitch, I think a fairly small field, at least so far as foul ball territory in the infield. I envision the overthrow of 1st traveling 10-15 feet beyond F3 when it hits the retired BR, who had little or no opportunity to react, and no reason to not head toward her dugout entrance after the fly is caught.

It seems like you envision a more open field with more foul ball territory, a retired batter-runner paying no attention and just wandering aimlessly in foul ball territory without paying attention, that had plenty of chance to avoid the overthrow, but didn't.

HTBT.

[Dukat]

I wish I could describe it better. The BR was not paying attention to the play at all and while not "wandering aimlessly", I thought she could have made it back into the dugout in time and or if she was paying attention could have possibly avoided the throw. With that thought we let the play finish and then got together and decided that the retired BR should have avoided the ball and had the ball not went off her leg that the play would have ended there so we put the runner back on 1st.

Now, reading through this, we may have made a mistake. Thank goodness it did not end up affecting the game as that is the last thing I would have wanted. It was a playoff game and both my partner and I were wanting to make sure to get everything right and at the time we thought we made the best call we could.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by Dukat

decided that the retired BR should have avoided the ball and had the ball not went off her leg that the play would have ended there so we put the runner back on 1st....

Now, reading through this, we may have made a mistake.

Don't know why you thought you made a mistake. If you truly thought she should have avoided it, you got it right by making her go back to 1B. No one on this message board was there but you. Sounds like to me you nailed it.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

HTBT, absolutely. That's the "partial immunity". We don't seem to be disgreeing on the concept, just how we envision the described play in the OP.

When I think NFHS slowpitch, I think a fairly small field, at least so far as foul ball territory in the infield. I envision the overthrow of 1st traveling 10-15 feet beyond F3 when it hits the retired BR, who had little or no opportunity to react, and no reason to not head toward her dugout entrance after the fly is caught.

It seems like you envision a more open field with more foul ball territory, a retired batter-runner paying no attention and just wandering aimlessly in foul ball territory without paying attention, that had plenty of chance to avoid the overthrow, but didn't.

HTBT.

I don't think it is so much about avoiding being involved in the play as opposed to being cognizant to avoid being involved in the play. Everyone in playable territory whether defenders, runners, batters, ODB, retired runners, coaches and even players warming up in an open bull pen area inside the fences have an obligation to be aware of all play and their responsibilities. Obviously, this is something that is coached even with rec youth ball.

I think you need to be consistant. Like I said, if the player kept a fielder from getting the ball for a play, it is INT. If the errant throw is heading toward the fence/backstop where the catcher is waiting for ball and kicks off the retired player enroute to the dugout and goes through a dugout gate, you will have a serious discussion with at least one coach no matter how you rule. So, why leave the ball live?

Is my blocked ball ruling a survival call? I guess you could look at it that way, but it is supported by rule, not something I am ad libbing.