Blocked Ball?

[IRISHMAFIA]

This is the only time the word "engaged" or any form of that word, is noted in MLB rules:

BENCH OR DUGOUT is the seating facilities reserved for players, substitutes and

other team members in uniform when they are not actively engaged on the playing field.

What you defined is clearly a blocked ball in all games with which I am familiar (U-trip not one of them).

Whether it is INT is purely up to the umpire and I do not believe it is absolute.

[NCASAUmp]

I'd answer, but to be honest, there are a LOT of cases in which USSSA has a "well, you know what we meant" approach towards writing their rules. I've had one hell of a time getting straight, rule-based interpretations from them.

Not trying to mock the association, but... well... Yeah, it is what it is.

In ASA, a ball striking the on-deck batter would be considered a blocked ball. If it did not interfere with the defense's ability to make a play on the runner, the ball just becomes dead. If it did interfere, then the ball is dead and the runner being played upon is out.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by umpire12

"In ASA, a ball striking the on-deck batter would be considered a blocked ball. If it did not interfere with the defense's ability to make a play on the runner, the ball just becomes dead".

so, in order to make this true, the on deck batter would have to be considered not engaged in the game, unlike coaches..correct?

That's what I'm saying.

We had a very lengthy discussion about this very topic a couple years ago. The on-deck batter is allowed on the field, but is not considered to be "engaged in the game." An on-deck batter is not required to even be on the field. They can come straight from the dugout to the plate if they so desire.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

This is the only time the word "engaged" or any form of that word, is noted in MLB rules:

BENCH OR DUGOUT is the seating facilities reserved for players, substitutes and

other team members in uniform when they are not actively engaged on the playing field.

What you defined is clearly a blocked ball in all games with which I am familiar (U-trip not one of them).

Whether it is INT is purely up to the umpire and I do not believe it is absolute.

Well, if you want to play the baseball card then you should note that the on-deck batter is on the field legally, and in fact required to be there.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Well, if you want to play the baseball card then you should note that the on-deck batter is on the field legally, and in fact required to be there.

Rich, did you read the thread?

If so, you would have seen the OP raised this issue and stated that according to MLB, any player on the roster was considered as "engaged" in the game. I was just pointing out that MLB rules do not make that statement.