Run score on 3rd out
Question
This is an ongoing debate between myself (scorer) and an ASAA umpire. Here's the situation: Runners on 1st and third, two outs, in a mens' slow-pitch D league. Batter hits a ball that hits the foot of the pitcher, rolls between SS and 2nd base. It is picked up on the edge of the grass and tossed to the 2nd baseman for the force out after the runner on 3rd base has touched home plate. I say that the run doesn't count, unless it actually goes on the grass or it hits a player other than the pitcher, which it didn't. Umpire says that the run does count because it hit a defensive player in the infield. Does the pitcher count as a defensive player when applying the rule about runs crossing the plate during the 3rd out. I can't seem to find a reference to this in the rulebook we have.
Answer
Hi marc,
You can't find such a rule because it doesn't exist.
I don't care if the ball deflects off the pitcher or his grandmother and goes into the grass or deflects off F5 or his grandmother and goes wherever.
ANYTIME the 3rd out of an inning is a "force" out, as this was, no run can score, ASA 5-5-b, doesn't matter if it scores before during or after the out.
mark
Courtesy runners
Thanks for your help.