With a runner on 2nd, the batter hits a groundball up the middle. The ball strikes the pitcher and changes direction, now headed toward shortstop. It strikes the runner, who was unaware that it first hit the pitcher. The ball ends up in center field.
The initial call was, dead ball and runner is out, batter awarded first.
There was an appeal that since the ball changed direction after hitting the pitcher, the jeopardy to the runner was removed.
Appeal was upheld. Final ruling was, dead ball, runner awarded 3rd, batter awarded 1st.
Question 1: Is this the correct ruling?
Question 2: Was the ball dead once the runner was struck, even though the runner was in front of the closest fielder, who happened to be the short stop?
Thank you,
SSUSA does not consider the pitcher to be a fielder at ANY TIME .. so per your scenario even though the ball changed direction after hitting the pitcher it's a dead ball runner is out and batter awarded 1st base... the rule is below
X. When a fair batted ball strikes an umpire or base runner on fair ground before passing or touching an infielder, excluding the pitcher.
EXCEPTION: A fair batted ball that deflects off the pitcher's glove remains a live ball. EFFECT: The batter is awarded first base, and runners advance one base only if forced with the exception that a runner
struck while off base is out. (See also §8.2 C.)
That is a rule that needs to be amended.
stick.. I agree.. I believe SSUSA is the ONLY org that calls it this way.. if the pitcher is able to get a glove on the ball he SHOULD be considered a fielder .. a runner should not be penalized when the balls path is changed by either the pitchers glove or his body
Exactly BJ. Allow me to add if the pitcher makes a legitimate attempt to field the ball and doesn’t contact it with his glove or body.
in that case stick with no contact from the fielder I would have the runner out
BJ,
While I understand where your coming from and realize senior ball is different the way I learned the rule is if the batter hits an absolute missle thru the box where the pitcher has no time to react and it hits a runner who is off the base then I’ll call that runner out.
If the batter hits a grounder thru the middle and the pitcher makes a legitimate attempt to field it and the ball,bounces either over or under his glove and then hits the runner off the base I have nothing.
The key is the pitcher making a legitimate attempt to field the ball.
It’s a judgement call by the umpire
Good discussion. I agree with B.J. This doesn't have to be complicated by having umpires make judgement a call. It is hard enough to get the infield fly out done correctly. Let's limit judgement calls.
Umpiring is mostly judgement calls! Take pitching for example. Almost no one will question if the pitch hits the mat. Two things can be questioned.
1) Pitching arc. 6’-12’ from the ground. What you feel is a 12ft arc may be different than the umpire. Umpire has to judge the pitching arc.
2) Pitching 10 ft behind the mound. Again your version of what 10 ft behind the mound is might be different than the umpire. Unless a line is drawn 10 ft back of the mound (which is a big help) it’s the umpires judgement how far 10 ft behind the mound is.
It would be nice is judgement calls were limited but that’s just not the way the game is played.