Bases loaded no outs. Batter smacks hard line drive toward 1st base,runner cannot dodge quick enough and is hit while standing on white bag. Umpire declared dead ball and batter is out. League plays under SSUSA rules..what you guys think, and why? Tku george
if the nearest fielder was behind the runner the call should have been dead ball batter awarded 1st base and all runners forced advance 1 base.. this rarely happens but if nearest fielder was in front of runner it would be a live ball play on
Tku BJ and Peoria Player for both the wording and specific rule location that covers this situation. I have my own copy of SSUSA rulebook, but could not locate anything specific. The nearest defensive player(1st baseman) I believe was stationed behind the runner, so batter should have been awarded 1st base with a declared "dead ball", and base runners forced advanced to next base. Tough call for umpire to get right, they have to be aware of defensive alignments among all the other stuff they track. George
I await someone with more knowledge jumps in.
However, it's my thought that we can ignore the runner being on first as a base is not a sanctuary.
therefore, runner was hit with a batter ball in front of a fielder - dead ball, runner out and batter advance to first base.
right?
runner hit behind fielders runner is not out while runner hit in front of fielders runner is out.
The rule is 8.2C "When he bats a fair ball even though it strikes another player, umpire or their attached clothing or equipment. 1. If the runner is hit with a fair batted ball while touching a base, he is not out. EFFECT: The ball is live or dead depending on the position of the fielder closest to the ball. If the closest defensive plyer is in front of the base runner hit by the ball, the ball remains live. However, after the runner in contact with the base is hit by the batted ball, it shall be the same as hitting the ground. Since the ball remains live, the defense is free to make whatever plays are available. If the defensive player is behind the base runner, the ball is ruled dead, the hitter is awarded a base hit and the runners are advanced only if forced to advance.
michael p.. hopefully your thoughts and knowledge have been updated and you see the rule that PP and Bruce M and my explanation were correct.. 1 other thing a base is a sanctuary for a runner unless they are forced to advance
Happened to me at last Winter Nationals. Runner on first, I hit a fair line drive that hit runner who had both feet on first base bag. We had a single ump; he ruled that ball was in play and resulted in a double play!! After game, I asked senior SSUSA umpire there ( I believe she was also the site director) about it. She said our ump made a bad call. She said correct call should have been: dead ball, runner advances to second, and batter gets first. After the tournament, I put this situation on this message forum. It was confirmed that the senior umpire/site director was correct-dead ball, runner to second, batter to first. The key I think was that runner was hit while standing on the bag. Hope this helps
