Trick play?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

ASA rules. R1 on 2nd. Count 2-1. Next pitch is a ball. B2 then takes off for first,...

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

The ASA clarification that came out a couple of years ago was if the play caused obvious confusion to call time and bring the batter back to bat and put the runner back at the base they were on. Do a search on here, was a huge discussion on it.

Without trying to look it up, IIRC the ASA "ruling" which caused so much discussion / controversy here was because they wanted the umpire to kill the ball at the point my quote of the OP ends, as preventative umpiring to avoid the potential of confusion.

Did this ever make it to the status of a case play?

It seems to me the proper thing would be for the umpire to declare "That's only ball 3" and let the players take if from there.

There is an argument for interference here, if the batter drew the throw. I can't see an interference call based on general confusion, though. It is a live ball and the runner does have a right to attempt to advance.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Until that ruling, the ASA position was simple and understandable. The defense is/was responsible to know the situation (count, outs, etc.), has coaches that should be telling them what plays to make and when, and has every opportunity to make an easy out by making a play on the runners that are in jeopardy that we shouldn't take away. Runners that advance due to the defense not knowing the situation have stolen a base; a batter that is still at-bat is returned to complete their at-bat. It wasn't interference, and the play stood.

The new "official" ruling contradicts every other prevailing philosophy, so hard to say what is right, anymore.