Rule question: Catcher throws bunted ball to 1st, hits the batter/runner

[Torontonian]

When a batter/runner bunts the ball, s/he is supposed to run on or just right of the line down first base, then touch the orange part of the safe bag.

The catcher picks up the ball and throws to first base, and the ball hits/touches the batter/runner.

If the runner was running inside the line (in fair territory), then the runner is out.

If the runner was running in foul territory to the right of the line, within the 3' width, the runner is safe.

But if the runner runs on the line, depends

Does it depend on where the ball hits the runner? i.e. if it hits the runner's left arm that's inside the fair territory, then the runner is out, and if it touches above the left shoulder of the runner just in foul territory then the runner is safe?

 

[BretMan]

The answer could depend on which set of rules your game is played under.

Most define a batter-runner being out of the three-foot running lane as when a foot lands completely outside of the lines. Touching the lines equates to being in the running lane.

ASA has a unique interpretation on this play. They officially rule this like the last part of your post- it depends on where the ball hits the runner. Consider the lines of the running lane as extending vertically upward. If the ball hits any part of the B/R's body that is within the lines, it's not interference. If the ball hits part of her body that's extended out beyond the lines, even if both of her feet are inside/on the lines, that is interference.

 

[Torontonian]

Some coaches tels players that on a bunt, run on the line. That way the catcher will feel pressure, as when throwing to first, s/he will be afraid to hit the batter/runner.

However, if the ball hits the runner's body part that is judged to be inside the fair territory and the ump can call the runner out, then it's not such a good idea to run on the line. It sounds like the runner should run so that the entire body is just in the foul territory?!

 

[ASAPAump]

Yes, that's the purpose of the 3' running lane. To provide an area of safety for the runner which is entirely in foul territory.

 

[SoCalDad]

Let me ask a related question. On a dropped third strike the catcher fields the ball in foul territory and 1B moves to the orange bag to field, what happens if the ball hits the runner in fair territory since the base runner has been forced to use the white portion of the bag? Is it interference?

 

[BretMan]

This is another situation specifically covered under ASA rules.

On this play:

- When a fielder uses the colored base, the batter-runner MAY use the white base. She's not required to. Since B/R's are generally required and taught to run toward the colored base, when the defense uses that base the B/R isn't expected or forced to just automatically switch over. The B/R likely has no idea in the world where the throw is coming from since it's behind her. Expecting the runner to know the throw is coming from foul ground, when she can't see it, and forcing her to switch to the other bag, when she would normally be heading to the colored one, are unreasonable expectations.

ASA recognizes this, as does NFHS/high school ball, and they have written rules to cover it.

- If the defense is using the colored bag, and the B/R chooses to use the white one, then the three foot running lane essentially "mirrors" across the foul line into fair territory. Since the B/R may legally use either base on this play, the running lane is effectively treated as a six-foot wide lane, instead of three. The B/R is not guilty of interference if she is within three feet of either side of the foul line.

Again...your mileage might vary with other rule sets and sanctioning bodies, if they have not taken the time to craft rules covering these kinds of plays at first base! ASA has covered it, high school has covered it, but some associations have not.

 

[Torontonian]

This is another situation specifically covered under ASA rules.

On this play:

- When a fielder uses the colored base, the batter-runner MAY use the white base. She's not required to. Since B/R's are generally required and taught to run toward the colored base, when the defense uses that base the B/R isn't expected or forced to just automatically switch over. The B/R likely has no idea in the world where the throw is coming from since it's behind her. Expecting the runner to know the throw is coming from foul ground, when she can't see it, and forcing her to switch to the other bag, when she would normally be heading to the colored one, are unreasonable expectations.

ASA recognizes this, as does NFHS/high school ball, and they have written rules to cover it.

- If the defense is using the colored bag, and the B/R chooses to use the white one, then the three foot running lane essentially "mirrors" across the foul line into fair territory. Since the B/R may legally use either base on this play, the running lane is effectively treated as a six-foot wide lane, instead of three. The B/R is not guilty of interference if she is within three feet of either side of the foul line.

Again...your mileage might vary with other rule sets and sanctioning bodies, if they have not taken the time to craft rules covering these kinds of plays at first base! ASA has covered it, high school has covered it, but some associations have not.

I didn't know the 1B can change to use the orange bag. I always thought if the 1B goes to use the orange part when catching the throw, the B/R is safe. That is, if the B/R is continuing to run toward the orange part.

So in tournaments, knowledgeable ASA umps are supposed to know the 1B can use the orange bag. As far as I know, no house league umps would know of this, and would call the 1B on interference and give the base to the B/R.

 

[patsox]

This is exactly the question I asked a couple of days ago on another thread. Someone replied with the specific ruling and the consensus is that as in baseball you can use the foul side of the first base bag. To not allow this would be a safety issue.

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/3190-safety-bag-rules.html

 

[BretMan]

It's not just a consensus (a general agreement or majority opinion). It's an actual printed rule in the rule book!

There are three times that the defense can use the colored bag to record an out (*under ASA rules*):

1) When the throw to first is coming from foul ground. (This might be the case on an uncaught third strike, or maybe even a bunted/batted ball that was first touched over fair ground, then deflected into foul territory.)

2) When the fielder is pulled onto foul ground by an errant throw. (This means completely off the base and entirely into foul territory, where the fielder would have to cross back over the colored bag to reach the white one. If the throw is just a little off the mark and the fielder is just pulled to the colored bag, that's not a legal tag of the base.)

3) When tagging the base after a runner has left early on a caught fly ball. (On these plays, the runner or fielder may use either side of the base to return/tag at any time.)