Run scores?

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Jul 4, 2012
329
18
10u. Runner on 3b. Batter believes she just saw ball four, drops the bat and proceeded to first. Coach sends her to 2b, pitcher throws the ball into center field. Run scores. After dust settles, umpire says hold on, that was only 3 balls and runner must go back to 3b. Coaches say run should score because everyone should know the count and it's still a live ball. Umpire agrees. Run scores. In my opinion, it was an honest mistake by the hitter. No bush league trickery and the umpire said he didn't believe it was intentional. Hitter claims umpire said full count before the pitch was thrown. Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
It is still a live ball and the run should score but, since there can be miscommunication with umpires that are not as vocal or demonstrative as they should be at 10U Rec I got no heartburn with sending the kids back and then educating everyone on what happened.

BUT as an umpire it does sound like he was very unsure of himself. If I am the umpire and the girl drops the bat and starts walking towards first she will hear "Batter that's only ball 3"; same thing for the girl who after strike two takes her bat head down at starts walking to the dugout "Batter that's only two strikes"
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
It would not bother me either if the runner was sent back.

I have other ways of dealing with it after the game if I thought it was intentional though, ump does not need to be involved.
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
seems to me that if it wasn't ball 4, then batter/runner is not entitled to 1st. dead ball, batter returns and everything after that is moot. otherwise, batter could takeoff to first at any time during her at bat.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
seems to me that if it wasn't ball 4, then batter/runner is not entitled to 1st. dead ball, batter returns and everything after that is moot. otherwise, batter could takeoff to first at any time during her at bat.

The batter can take off anytime they want, the umpire can call a strike on them if they want too for doing it.
 
Feb 29, 2012
61
0
If this was town ball I would send the runner back and teach everyone about the situation, especially at 10u. If its travel or a very competitive league then everyone should know the count and the run scores
 

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