Scenario - Int/Db/NonCall .. ?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

An association discussion that I thought had some interesting forks in the road.

R1 on 2B, R2 on 1B, no outs, called strike. F2 steps forward with the ball in bare hand ready to throw to second, but as umpire you determine she was not making a play on the runners. As the batter is bringing her bat back up to her shoulder, she inadvertently hits the ball out of the catchers hand.

Speaking ASA

A) Runners do not steal and catcher was not making an attempt to throw out a runner. Catcher runs to retrieve the ball.

Sort of curious why the catcher was throwing the ball to 2B if not making an attempt to throw out a runner.

Dead ball, no runners advance, instruct the batter to the BB and "play".

B) Upon seeing the ball hit the ground, R1 and R2 steal the next base - ending on 3B and 2B respectively.

(Assuming "hit the ground" refers to after the bat hit the ball) If they were not advancing when the bat hit the ball, it is same as above.

What is the proper call and authority or what action do you take in each case?

ASA 7.6.EFFECT P-S.EXCEPTION