Play from Iraq

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I may be overthinking it, I grant you that. And no to your next question - if the defender tripped and his head hit the ball out of play, no, it would not make a difference. Still 2 bases from TOP. The "clarification" (now beginning to think we're using this word VERY loosely!) seems to me to apply to intentional actions by the fielder.

Just the opposite. As previously stated, if the fielder intentionally knocked the ball into DBT, 8.5.K would apply.

I can't say this for certain, obviously, but it seems unlikely that the people who wrote the "clarification" intended umpires to now be in the business of deciding whether the batter or the fielder imparted more impetus when a ball is deflected out of play.

I don't think it is any more difficult than making any other judgment on the field.