Out of play ruling

Question
Our league is modified fast pitch (no windmilling. Here is the situation - 1 out, runner on 1st base. A batter got a base hit to the outfield. The runner on 1st scored but on the throw home to get him the ball was rolling towards the out of play area located to the side of the catcher where the batters walk through to take their at bats.  The pitcher slid to keep the ball from rolling out of play.  Part of his body was in play and part of his body was out of play.  The ball itself never rolled out of play.  The player then picked up the ball (again with part of body in and out of play) and tossed it to the catcher.

The question:  At any point in the above scenario is the ball considered "out of play"?  If so when?

Answer
Hi Douglas,

W/out seeing exactly what happened I can only give you the RS and you have to apply it to what you saw.

ASA RS 27 "When a chalk line is used to determine an out-of-play area, the line is
in play. If a fielder is touching the line, the fielder is in the field of play and
may make a legal catch or throw. If a foot is on the ground completely in
dead ball territory, not touching the line, the ball becomes dead and a play
may not be made."

If you are talking about a gate opening or other similar situation where there is no drawn line, you would have to use an imaginary line extending between the posts or other landmarks.

If we had a dead ball we would award bases based on when the throw was released.

Mark