Runner is out or not out
Question
I recall a few years ago, ASA made a change in the runner getting hit by a batted ball. It said that if in the umpires judgement, a fielder could not make a play on a batted ball and it hit a runner, the ball is live and runner is not automatically out. An example was a hard hit ball down 3rd baseline and runner on 3rd off the base when hit. There's no way the 3rd baseman, based on his position (hence the judgement call), could make a play on the ball.
Is this ruling still in effect?
thanks
Bob
Answer
Hi Bob,
A runner would be out if they are hit by a fair batted ball (while the runner is off base, in fair territory) before the ball passes an infielder, excluding the pitcher,
or if it passed an infielder and any player had the opportunity to make an out.
They would also be out if struck by a fair batted ball in foul territory and any player had the opportunity to make an out.
They would not be out if struck by a fair batted ball while the runner is in foul territory if no player had an opportunity to make an out (this was the change)
or if it passed an infielder, excluding the pitcher and no player had the opportunity to make an out.
Mark
Intentional slow play
Defensive interference