Slightly different scenario happened for my team few years back. My F9 charging in on a hard hit low line drive. As she lunged for the ball, ball ricocheted off her foot, right to the F3 who was set up to receive a throw. Ball never touched ground. Then F3 stomped on 1B [an appeal play] and turned to the BU and said, she's out too, pointing to R1 who was standing on second. [BU did check with PU to make sure PU had called it a catch.]
Some rules to Ponder.......
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- Jan 8, 2019
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Thank you! Not that I would ever have dreamed of coaching that, but did not know it was specifically illegal.
Oh yes, appeal plays can really get you thinking. Let’s try this one.. USA Rules. Basically the same scenario. Bases loaded, R1 at 3rd, R2 at 2nd, R3 at 1st, one out.. R3 from first base leaves on the pitch. Ball hit to F6 and tags R2 going to 3rd . R2 is called out. R1 crosses home plate and R3 passes 2nd base but misses touching it and is on her way to third. The 2nd baseman calls to F6 to throw her the ball for a live ball appeal of R3 missing the touch of the 2nd base. R2 ,after being called out realizes that a proper appeal would constitute a force out and negate the run ,obviously interferes with the throw to second base and the ball sails into the outfield. The umpire calls interference on a retired runner , rules R3 out for being closest to home , allows the run to score and doesn’t allow the appeal at 2nd base. Right or wrong? Remember, a 4th out appeal is only allowed on a runner that has scored and a runner that passes a bases is considered to have touched it unless properly appealed. Rule citation please
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ELABORATION ON CASE #92 -- PROHIBITION OF FLYING STARTS
Numerous umpires had questions about this case, which cited 8.18.R (p 52), This fundamental (but obscure) rule is not just a USSSA rule; it is a basic base running rule which is found in other codes as well (NFHS, USA Softball, NCAA Softball, and MLB):
"Any runner is out when the runner is detected taking a position for a running start behind and not in contact with a base"
This rule has NOTHING to do with a runner being off the base before the pitch is released; THAT is governed by the Look-Back Rule (8.2, p 41) and the rule prohibiting the runner leaving prior to the pitch (8.18.K, p 51)
This rule governs runner activity AFTER she is released from the base (after the pitch); realistically, it concerns what the runner does while tagging up on a fly ball.
It prohibits the runner from taking a position behind AND not in contact with the base (maybe 65' away from the next base) and timing the play so she takes a flying start, retouches (i.e., tags up) at the moment the ball is touched, and covers the entire 60' distance fully accelerated.
Analogy: Imagine if Dale Earnhardt or Usain Bolt were allowed to back up behind the start line, fully accelerate and time it so they crossed the start line at full speed when the race was "started". Allowing this in softball/baseball would totally disrupt the delicate rules balance between offense and defense.
Ball Status: When the infraction occurs, the violating runner is declared out and the BALL IS LIVE, unless it is the third out. This is identical in enforcement to the situation when one runner passes another (runner is out and ball remains live)
USSSA RULES:
96. A team is batting all ten of its players who are physically present. In the seventh inning, while Batter #10 is hitting, Big Stick Barbara arrives, and the coach wants to add her to the lineup as Batter #11. The other coach opposes this and protests to the umpire.
Ruling - ILLEGAL, unless the team has declared that it is Roster Batting. The late arriving player may not be added as Batter #11, but she may serve as a substitute for a player in batting positions 1-10. Although the team is batting every player physically present, when the number of batters is 9, 10, or 11, they must declare at the pregame conference that they are ROSTER BATTING; otherwise, they are (by default) using a traditional lineup (5.1, p 30)
Note: Teams are not allowed to bat more than 11 batters in a traditional lineup; in order to bat more than 11, they must use Roster Batting (must include every player physically present)
97. In an obvious bunt situation, the infield corners are "crashing". The batter makes contact with the pitched ball. The ball is popped up over the batter's head and makes contact with F2's shoulder, while she is still in the squatting position. The ball then rolls down F2's back, before it is squeezed against her back by F5, who eventually controls the ball in her bare hand before the ball touches the ground.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and the batter is OUT on the caught foul fly. A catch is legal even if the ball in flight is touched or deflected by another defensive player (3.CATCH.B.6, p 19)
Comment: Batted balls bouncing off the catcher can be tricky:
i) if the ball is hit sharply and directly back toward the catcher (a situation which would qualify as a foul tip but instead it first hits the catcher's protector, mask or person) without first touching the catcher's glove or hand, the ball is DEAD and a foul ball
ii) if the ball is NOT hit sharply and directly (i.e., a foul pop fly), a ball touching or bouncing off the catcher is LIVE and may be legally caught in flight
98. A runner at first base positions herself with the back foot behind and the front foot in contact with the a) white, or b) orange base to get a running start on a fly ball.
Ruling - LEGAL in both a) and b). After the batter-runner initially reaches first base, the runner may use either the white or colored base when the runner is tagging up on a fly ball. The rule prohibiting a running start applies only when the runner is behind AND not in contact with the base (8.18.R, p 52; 8.19.2.E, p 53-54)
99. R1 is on third base with no outs. The batter bunts, and the ball lands in front of home plate on a squeeze play. R1 slides home and kicks the ball before touching the plate. The kicked ball rolls out of play.
Ruling - DEAD BALL and INTERFERENCE. R1 is declared out for contacting a fair batted ball before it touches or passes an infielder. The batter-runner is awarded first base (8.18.N, p 51)
100. A pitched ball is hit hard on the ground. The batted ball deflects off F4 and makes contact with the base umpire.
Ruling - LIVE BALL. A fair ball which touches an umpire AFTER touching any fielder is a live ball (10.1.F.1, p 56)
96. A team is batting all ten of its players who are physically present. In the seventh inning, while Batter #10 is hitting, Big Stick Barbara arrives, and the coach wants to add her to the lineup as Batter #11. The other coach opposes this and protests to the umpire.
Ruling - ILLEGAL, unless the team has declared that it is Roster Batting. The late arriving player may not be added as Batter #11, but she may serve as a substitute for a player in batting positions 1-10. Although the team is batting every player physically present, when the number of batters is 9, 10, or 11, they must declare at the pregame conference that they are ROSTER BATTING; otherwise, they are (by default) using a traditional lineup (5.1, p 30)
Note: Teams are not allowed to bat more than 11 batters in a traditional lineup; in order to bat more than 11, they must use Roster Batting (must include every player physically present)
97. In an obvious bunt situation, the infield corners are "crashing". The batter makes contact with the pitched ball. The ball is popped up over the batter's head and makes contact with F2's shoulder, while she is still in the squatting position. The ball then rolls down F2's back, before it is squeezed against her back by F5, who eventually controls the ball in her bare hand before the ball touches the ground.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and the batter is OUT on the caught foul fly. A catch is legal even if the ball in flight is touched or deflected by another defensive player (3.CATCH.B.6, p 19)
Comment: Batted balls bouncing off the catcher can be tricky:
i) if the ball is hit sharply and directly back toward the catcher (a situation which would qualify as a foul tip but instead it first hits the catcher's protector, mask or person) without first touching the catcher's glove or hand, the ball is DEAD and a foul ball
ii) if the ball is NOT hit sharply and directly (i.e., a foul pop fly), a ball touching or bouncing off the catcher is LIVE and may be legally caught in flight
98. A runner at first base positions herself with the back foot behind and the front foot in contact with the a) white, or b) orange base to get a running start on a fly ball.
Ruling - LEGAL in both a) and b). After the batter-runner initially reaches first base, the runner may use either the white or colored base when the runner is tagging up on a fly ball. The rule prohibiting a running start applies only when the runner is behind AND not in contact with the base (8.18.R, p 52; 8.19.2.E, p 53-54)
99. R1 is on third base with no outs. The batter bunts, and the ball lands in front of home plate on a squeeze play. R1 slides home and kicks the ball before touching the plate. The kicked ball rolls out of play.
Ruling - DEAD BALL and INTERFERENCE. R1 is declared out for contacting a fair batted ball before it touches or passes an infielder. The batter-runner is awarded first base (8.18.N, p 51)
100. A pitched ball is hit hard on the ground. The batted ball deflects off F4 and makes contact with the base umpire.
Ruling - LIVE BALL. A fair ball which touches an umpire AFTER touching any fielder is a live ball (10.1.F.1, p 56)
USSSA RULES:
101. R1 is on third base and R2 is on second base with a) no outs, b) one out, or c) two outs. F2 fails to catch a third strike delivered by the pitcher.
Ruling - LIVE BALL; the batter-runner may advance to first base in all the above situations. R1 and R2 may advance at their own risk. The batter-runner will be called safe if she reaches first base before either: the ball is held by the fielder while touching the base, or she is tagged out with the ball
The batter becomes a batter-runner when she is charged with a third strike, unless first base is occupied with less than two outs. If the third strike is caught before the ball touches the ground, the batter is out an instant after becoming a batter runner (8.4.B, p 43)
102. R1 is on third base with no outs. B2 hits a pitched ball in the air to the outfield. The third base coach taps R1 on the leg when F8 catches the fair fly ball. R1 legally tags up and easily scores.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL and R1 is OUT when the violation occurs. B2 is also out on the caught fly ball. The runner is out when anyone other than another runner PHYSICALLY ASSISTS them while the ball is in play (8.18.Y, p 53; 10.2.D, p 47)
103. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, B3 walks to force in the tying run. As the cleanup hitter steps in the batter's box, the game is called by the plate umpire due to weather conditions.
Ruling - REGULATION TIE GAME, if the game can not be continued. If the game is called because of weather conditions and the Tournament Director feels that the possibility of resuming the game is not likely, it is a regulation game provided,the home team has scored an equal or greater number of runs in two and a fraction turns at bat than the visitors have scored in their three-inning turn (4.6.C.2, p 27)
104. R1 is caught in a rundown between home and third base. In an attempt to get back to third base, R1 is forced to run completely around F5 who is in the base path without the ball. R1 is tagged out at third base by F6.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and OBSTRUCTION is called at the time of the violation, followed by a DEAD BALL when R1 is put out. R1 is not called out; she is awarded third base. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where the runner was obstructed (unless an exception applies). When an obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base they would have reached had there been no obstruction, the umpire shall award her the base(s) (8.13.D, p 46)
105. A substitute enters the game to run, bat or play defense. The substitute is not listed on the lineup card submitted at the pregame conference, but the coach informs the plate umpire and she is added when she enters the game. The opposing coach complains to the umpire that the player is ineligible since she was omitted from the original lineup card.
Ruling - LEGAL; eligible roster members may be added as substitutes AT ANY TIME (5.1.C, p 29)
Comment: whenever a coach submits a lineup or adds a player to the lineup card when the game is in progress, the coach is representing that those players are eligible players. The umpire should take the coach's representation at face value. It is the responsibility of the opposing coach to lodge an ELIGIBILITY PROTEST if he or she has reason to believe otherwise, and that protest, once made to the plate umpire, must be resolved by tournament administration -- not the umpire.
101. R1 is on third base and R2 is on second base with a) no outs, b) one out, or c) two outs. F2 fails to catch a third strike delivered by the pitcher.
Ruling - LIVE BALL; the batter-runner may advance to first base in all the above situations. R1 and R2 may advance at their own risk. The batter-runner will be called safe if she reaches first base before either: the ball is held by the fielder while touching the base, or she is tagged out with the ball
The batter becomes a batter-runner when she is charged with a third strike, unless first base is occupied with less than two outs. If the third strike is caught before the ball touches the ground, the batter is out an instant after becoming a batter runner (8.4.B, p 43)
102. R1 is on third base with no outs. B2 hits a pitched ball in the air to the outfield. The third base coach taps R1 on the leg when F8 catches the fair fly ball. R1 legally tags up and easily scores.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL and R1 is OUT when the violation occurs. B2 is also out on the caught fly ball. The runner is out when anyone other than another runner PHYSICALLY ASSISTS them while the ball is in play (8.18.Y, p 53; 10.2.D, p 47)
103. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, B3 walks to force in the tying run. As the cleanup hitter steps in the batter's box, the game is called by the plate umpire due to weather conditions.
Ruling - REGULATION TIE GAME, if the game can not be continued. If the game is called because of weather conditions and the Tournament Director feels that the possibility of resuming the game is not likely, it is a regulation game provided,the home team has scored an equal or greater number of runs in two and a fraction turns at bat than the visitors have scored in their three-inning turn (4.6.C.2, p 27)
104. R1 is caught in a rundown between home and third base. In an attempt to get back to third base, R1 is forced to run completely around F5 who is in the base path without the ball. R1 is tagged out at third base by F6.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and OBSTRUCTION is called at the time of the violation, followed by a DEAD BALL when R1 is put out. R1 is not called out; she is awarded third base. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where the runner was obstructed (unless an exception applies). When an obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base they would have reached had there been no obstruction, the umpire shall award her the base(s) (8.13.D, p 46)
105. A substitute enters the game to run, bat or play defense. The substitute is not listed on the lineup card submitted at the pregame conference, but the coach informs the plate umpire and she is added when she enters the game. The opposing coach complains to the umpire that the player is ineligible since she was omitted from the original lineup card.
Ruling - LEGAL; eligible roster members may be added as substitutes AT ANY TIME (5.1.C, p 29)
Comment: whenever a coach submits a lineup or adds a player to the lineup card when the game is in progress, the coach is representing that those players are eligible players. The umpire should take the coach's representation at face value. It is the responsibility of the opposing coach to lodge an ELIGIBILITY PROTEST if he or she has reason to believe otherwise, and that protest, once made to the plate umpire, must be resolved by tournament administration -- not the umpire.
USSSA RULES
106. R1 is on third base. F5 is a) playing in, expecting a squeeze bunt, or b) playing deep, behind the baseline between second and third base. B2 hits a sharp batted ball fairly which strikes R1 while she is still standing on third base, and the ball rolls out of play.
Ruling - when a fair batted ball hits a runner (unintentionally) who is in contact with a base, the ball is dead or live depending on whether the closest fielder is IN FRONT OF THE BASE (LIVE) OR BEHIND THE BASE (DEAD). In a), LIVE BALL, followed by a DEAD BALL (when the ball rolls out of play) and a TWO BASE AWARD (based on time of pitch) to all runners. In b), DEAD BALL when the fair batted ball contacts the runner, and the BATTER-RUNNER is awarded first base; other runners advance only if forced (8.5.D, p 44; 8.14.C.1, p 44; 8.18.N EXCEPTION, p 52)
107. R1 is on second base with one out. B2 hits a pitched ball for a double; however, R1 misses home plate. The on-deck batter notices the error and a) tells R1 to retouch the plate, or b) pushes R1 back toward home plate.
Ruling - in a), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION. Verbal advice is not considered assisting a runner. In b), DELAYED DEAD BALL and the runner is declared OUT. A runner is out when anyone other than another runner physically assists them while the ball is in play, including a RETIRED runner (i.e., one who has been put out or who has scored) (8.18.Y, p 53; 10..2.D, p 57)
108. F2 returns a pitched ball to F5. In a), there are no runners on base, in b), there is a runner on third base.
Ruling - in a), DEAD BALL and an additional BALL is awarded to the batter. The catcher must return the ball directly to the pitcher after each pitch, except after a strikeout or a putout made by the catcher, or to play on a base runner. In b), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION when a runner is being played on (6.2.B, p 36)
109. F2 catches a foul fly ball in her mask.
Ruling - DEAD BALL; FOUL and NO CATCH. A batted ball must be fair, or in the umpire's judgment, might become fair, in order to enforce the detached equipment rule. The plate umpire should rule no catch because it is an illegally caught ball (3.CATCH.B.2, P 19; 3.FOUL BALL.D, p 21; 10.1.D.3, p 57)
110. The on-deck batter approaches the on-deck circle with three bats.
Ruling - ILLEGAL; no player may use more than 2 bats when warming up in the on-deck circle (2.16, p 16)
106. R1 is on third base. F5 is a) playing in, expecting a squeeze bunt, or b) playing deep, behind the baseline between second and third base. B2 hits a sharp batted ball fairly which strikes R1 while she is still standing on third base, and the ball rolls out of play.
Ruling - when a fair batted ball hits a runner (unintentionally) who is in contact with a base, the ball is dead or live depending on whether the closest fielder is IN FRONT OF THE BASE (LIVE) OR BEHIND THE BASE (DEAD). In a), LIVE BALL, followed by a DEAD BALL (when the ball rolls out of play) and a TWO BASE AWARD (based on time of pitch) to all runners. In b), DEAD BALL when the fair batted ball contacts the runner, and the BATTER-RUNNER is awarded first base; other runners advance only if forced (8.5.D, p 44; 8.14.C.1, p 44; 8.18.N EXCEPTION, p 52)
107. R1 is on second base with one out. B2 hits a pitched ball for a double; however, R1 misses home plate. The on-deck batter notices the error and a) tells R1 to retouch the plate, or b) pushes R1 back toward home plate.
Ruling - in a), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION. Verbal advice is not considered assisting a runner. In b), DELAYED DEAD BALL and the runner is declared OUT. A runner is out when anyone other than another runner physically assists them while the ball is in play, including a RETIRED runner (i.e., one who has been put out or who has scored) (8.18.Y, p 53; 10..2.D, p 57)
108. F2 returns a pitched ball to F5. In a), there are no runners on base, in b), there is a runner on third base.
Ruling - in a), DEAD BALL and an additional BALL is awarded to the batter. The catcher must return the ball directly to the pitcher after each pitch, except after a strikeout or a putout made by the catcher, or to play on a base runner. In b), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION when a runner is being played on (6.2.B, p 36)
109. F2 catches a foul fly ball in her mask.
Ruling - DEAD BALL; FOUL and NO CATCH. A batted ball must be fair, or in the umpire's judgment, might become fair, in order to enforce the detached equipment rule. The plate umpire should rule no catch because it is an illegally caught ball (3.CATCH.B.2, P 19; 3.FOUL BALL.D, p 21; 10.1.D.3, p 57)
110. The on-deck batter approaches the on-deck circle with three bats.
Ruling - ILLEGAL; no player may use more than 2 bats when warming up in the on-deck circle (2.16, p 16)
