LL Major Softball. No outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Ball hit, but only rolls about 3/4 between home and the pitchers mound on the 1st base side. Batter, for whatever reason, doesn't run right away. Finally, batter runs after coaches are yelling for her to do so. Thrown out at first. Runner from 2nd runs to third, but runner on third goes back to base. F3 throws to F5, ball gets by and runner scores, with close play at the plate. Runner from 2nd base heads for third. F2 throws to F5, overthrows, runner scores. 2 runs in, only out recorded is at 1st.
Discussion ensues as defensive manager says he thinks that the batter touched the ball in fair territory. Neither the base ump nor I (PU) saw the touch, so, naturally, no call.
If the ball did touch the batter in fair territory, it was only a touch, with no real interference. In other words, the play was easily made to 1st and the ball was not deflected so as to interfere with any play.
Would this be interference, with a dead ball (runners back on their respective bases and batter out), or would it be a normal play? Rulebook says if the ball touches the batter in fair territory, batter is out. But, if there is no interference, is it a dead ball?
|
Mon Jul 08, 2002, 10:58am
Linear Mode
