dead or live

[boss21]

When a runner in contact with the bag is hit by a fair batted ball,shouldn't this play be called dead and is it different for softball and hardball?

[shipwreck]

Most softball rulesets say the ball is live or dead depending on where the nearest fielder is positioned. If the nearest fielder is in front of the base it is a live ball. If the nearest fielder is behind the base it is a dead ball. Dave

[BretMan]

One difference between baseball and softball is that in softball a runner accidently hit by a batted ball while in contact with a base is NOT out. Touching the base provides no such protection in baseball (except on an Infield Fly). In baseball, a runner hit by a batted ball while touching a base is just as out as if hit while off of it- and, yes, the ball is also dead.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that most softball associations rule the ball either live or dead depending on if it has passed a fielder when the runner is hit while touching a base. Some definitely do, like ASA and NFHS.

Other's don't. For instance, in NSA the ball is automatically dead when it hits a runner on a base, no matter if it's passed a fielder or not. In USSSA, the opposite is true- the ball remains live! But all agree that the runner is not out.

Those are the four rule sets I most commonly deal with- and there are at least a dozen others out there. What the others might do would be pure speculation on my part and I imagine that you might get a real mix of different rulings.

[shipwreck]

Originally Posted by BretMan

One difference between baseball and softball is that in softball a runner accidently hit by a batted ball while in contact with a base is NOT out. Touching the base provides no such protection in baseball (except on an Infield Fly). In baseball, a runner hit by a batted ball while touching a base is just as out as if hit while off of it- and, yes, the ball is also dead.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that most softball associations rule the ball either live or dead depending on if it has passed a fielder when the runner is hit while touching a base. Some definitely do, like ASA and NFHS.

Other's don't. For instance, in NSA the ball is automatically dead when it hits a runner on a base, no matter if it's passed a fielder or not. In USSSA, the opposite is true- the ball remains live! But all agree that the runner is not out.

Those are the four rule sets I most commonly deal with- and there are at least a dozen others out there. What the others might do would be pure speculation on my part and I imagine that you might get a real mix of different rulings.

I take back my quote. Dave