Sample Play for ASA

[BretMan]

ASA rules.

3-2 count, R1 on second base. Ball four is in the dirt and rebounds off the catcher, then goes a few feet up the first base line.

The batter-runner heads for first and: A) intentionally, or; B) unintentionally, contacts the ball.

What is the call and what rule number covers it?

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Dead ball, R1 stays at 2nd unless reached 3rd before BR contact.
Will work on rule cite.

The rule cite is the tricky part...

We have rules for runners hit by batted balls or thrown balls. But I'm not finding anything concrete that covers a batter-runner hit by a deflected pitch/loose ball.

Obviously, if the B/R intentionally kicked the ball she would be out. I threw in the "intentional/unintentional" option just looking for input if "intent" even plays a part in this call.

The conversation this generated at one of our meetings ranged from "it's nothing, live ball, play on", to "it's interference, batter-runner is out (regardless of intent), to "dead ball, place B/R on first base".

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by BretMan

The rule cite is the tricky part...

We have rules for runners hit by batted balls or thrown balls. But I'm not finding anything concrete that covers a batter-runner hit by a deflected pitch/loose ball.

Obviously, if the B/R intentionally kicked the ball she would be out. I threw in the "intentional/unintentional" option just looking for input if "intent" even plays a part in this call.

The conversation this generated at one of our meetings ranged from "it's nothing, live ball, play on", to "it's interference, batter-runner is out (regardless of intent), to "dead ball, place B/R on first base".

I would go with the "Live Ball, Play On" group, unless it was done intentionally.

My rationale is this: A runner is not expected to avoid being contacted by a batted ball that has been deflected by an infielder. So why should we hold him/her to a higher responsibility on a pitched ball that has been deflected by the catcher?

Of course, that argument goes out the window on a dropped-third strike. I never could understand the rationale with that one...

[RKBUmp]

Closest I can find so far is the last exception in rule 7. But, it is dealing with a return throw to the pitcher. Based on the wording of that rule, I could see where if no runner was advancing prior to the contact and it was not intentional contact with the ball, just kill it return runners to last base and put the B/R on 1st.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Manny A

My rationale is this: A runner is not expected to avoid being contacted by a batted ball that has been deflected by an infielder. So why should we hold him/her to a higher responsibility on a pitched ball that has been deflected by the catcher?
.

I like that reasoning, but it seems to come down to impeding a play or not.

[MD Longhorn]

If we're going to be consistent with other rulings - generally, if the batter interferes with a potential play, we have an out; but if the batter "interferes" while there is NO potential play, and a play develops because of that "interference", it's just a dead ball - put the runner back.

(B) is nothing.
(A) is - if no play, B/R to first, runner back; if there is a play, B/R out, runner back.

[bluejay]

My ASA book is from 2011 so perhaps somethng has changed but 8.2.f.6 mentions interference with a dropped third strike which I believe the OP describes. I think most of us know what three things always happen when interference occurs. Dead, out, return.

[MichaelVA2000]

Live ball unless the umpire decides there was interference.