Overthrow Clarification

[BillM.]

ASA Rule 8-5-G:
“When the ball is live and becomes overthrown or is blocked:
EFFECT: All runners shall be awarded two bases. The award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the ball left the fielder’s hand. Runners must return to touch a base missed or a base left too soon. When two runners are between the same two bases, the award is based off the position of the lead runner. Once a base runner advances to the next awarded base, the runner may no longer return to touch any based missed or any base left too soon.
Exception: When a fielder loses possession of the ball and the ball leaves live ball territory:
EFFECT: Each runner is awarded one base from the base last touched at the time the ball entered the dead ball area or became blocked. “

Can you fine folks clarify the underlined exception for me, including an example?

The way I am reading this is that if a fielder has possession of the ball, but then drops it, and it rolls into dead ball territory, the base award will be 1 base from the moment it rolls into dead ball territory. In my limited experience (3 years) I haven't seen that happen, so I am just trying to prepare myself for our season starting in a few weeks.

[BretMan]

It's for when a fielder has possession of the ball and then something other than a throw causes it to go out of play.

An example I've often heard: Runner coming into third base. F5 catches the ball and goes to apply a tag. On the tag, the ball pops out of the fielder's glove and rolls out of play.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by BillM.

ASA Rule 8-5-G:
“When the ball is live and becomes overthrown or is blocked:
EFFECT: All runners shall be awarded two bases. The award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the ball left the fielder’s hand. Runners must return to touch a base missed or a base left too soon. When two runners are between the same two bases, the award is based off the position of the lead runner. Once a base runner advances to the next awarded base, the runner may no longer return to touch any based missed or any base left too soon.
Exception: When a fielder loses possession of the ball and the ball leaves live ball territory:
EFFECT: Each runner is awarded one base from the base last touched at the time the ball entered the dead ball area or became blocked. “

Can you fine folks clarify the underlined exception for me, including an example?

The way I am reading this is that if a fielder has possession of the ball, but then drops it, and it rolls into dead ball territory, the base award will be 1 base from the moment it rolls into dead ball territory. In my limited experience (3 years) I haven't seen that happen, so I am just trying to prepare myself for our season starting in a few weeks.

I believe your example is still considered a two-base award from the "throw", with the "throw" being when the fielder drops the ball.

ASA RS#38 specifically mentions the tag attempt to clarify the Exception in 8-5-G.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

It's for when a fielder has possession of the ball and then something other than a throw causes it to go out of play.

An example I've often heard: Runner coming into third base. F5 catches the ball and goes to apply a tag. On the tag, the ball pops out of the fielder's glove and rolls out of play.

This is correct. There are numerous ways this could happen where the players loses control of the ball without a throw. A couple could include a sweep tag, ball being dislodged throw contact with a runner, base or ground, etc.

[BillM.]

Thanks everyone.

That clarifies it. I just didn't understand the wording.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by BillM.

ASA Rule 8-5-G:
“When the ball is live and becomes overthrown or is blocked:
EFFECT: All runners shall be awarded two bases. The award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the ball left the fielder’s hand. Runners must return to touch a base missed or a base left too soon. When two runners are between the same two bases, the award is based off the position of the lead runner. Once a base runner advances to the next awarded base, the runner may no longer return to touch any based missed or any base left too soon. Exception: When a fielder loses possession of the ball and the ball leaves live ball territory:
EFFECT: Each runner is awarded one base from the base last touched at the time the ball entered the dead ball area or became blocked. “

Can you fine folks clarify the underlined exception for me, including an example?

The way I am reading this is that if a fielder has possession of the ball, but then drops it, and it rolls into dead ball territory, the base award will be 1 base from the moment it rolls into dead ball territory. In my limited experience (3 years) I haven't seen that happen, so I am just trying to prepare myself for our season starting in a few weeks.

Good example of knowing what to do in rare circumstances. There are 4 in this rule, probably less than 10 occurrences in my 27 years of umpiring.

[MD Longhorn]

A) Please do not ever use that color again. I'm blind!
B) you win the multicolored post award for the year.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

A) Please do not ever use that color again. I'm blind!
B) you win the multicolored post award for the year.

I changed the cyan to blue.

Also forgot the grey background would be like reading ASA rules.