Definition of an overthrow and application of the rule
2016/7/15 16:41:41
Question
Kind of two questions.
One when I look at section 1 of the rulebook (2012) for ASA it defines an overthrow as a thrown ball from a fielder that goes a) beyond the boundary lines of the playing field (dead ball territory), or b) becomes a blocked ball.
So first, this is the official definition. Now if say F6 makes a throw to F3 and that ball is high or wide of the mark and hits the fence and stays in the playing area that is not really an overthrow, correct? The same if F2 throws from home to second and misses the mark and the ball rolls into the outfield that is not really an over throw, correct?
Those would be errant throws or wild throws, but not overthrows as defined in the rules. Just seeking another opinion since it seems a lot of discussion calls those throws overthrows and not errant throws.
The second question is in the form of an example.
I have R1 on 2B and no outs. B2 hits a sharp grounder to F6 who throws to F3 for the out. R1 hesitated since the ball was on that side of the field before taking off to 3B. For some reason F3 throws the ball to F2 after the out at 1B who sees R1 going to 3B and throws the ball just a little wide to the left of 3B. The ball falls low and appears to either strike F5's foot or the ground and then F5's glove before shooting up into the air and over the fence and into the bleachers. The umpire does not award any other bases since he states that if the F5 had not touched the ball it would not have gone out of play and therefore it is not an overthrow. He said it is up to umpire judgement as to whether the ball was thrown out of bounds or went out of bounds for some other reason. I would have also thought that
What is your opinion? I would have thought that any time a thrown ball goes out of bounds, it would be ruled an overthrow independent of what causes it to go out of bounds. Alternately, once it was in the bleachers it was also a blocked ball and again does it really matter whether it went then directly from the throw or after hitting a defensive player?
Thanks!
Answer
Hi ken,
an overthrow must go into dead ball territory (out of play). if the throw stays in live ball territory it is just that, a live ball and we play on (unless blocked).
Anytime a thrown ball goes out of play it is an overthrow, reason doesn't matter (unless the offense intentionally interfered with it). In your 2nd q it is a dead ball and bases awarded,
Mark
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