ASA Softball Overthrow Rule Question

Question
QUESTION: Can you tell me what the rule is for an overthrown ball to 1st base that hits a defensive team抯 coach that is wrongfully outside of the dugout? Is it still a live ball and the runner can advance around the bases?
I was the 1st base coach and sent my runner to 2nd base on the late overthrow. The overthrow bounced of the defensive team's coach and the play continued with other overthrow's, and my runner ended up safe at home. After she passed home plate the ump called dead ball and made her go back to 2nd base. I don't believe that's the right call. Even if it's a blocked ball the runner should have gotten 2 bases right?

ANSWER: Hi Wade,

Thank you for your question.  I know that you are a student of the game because you used the term "blocked ball," which is what you had when the fielder's overthrow struck the defensive coach who was out of the dugout, and therefore was not a legal participant of the game.  A blocked ball is a dead ball which disallows the advance of runners.  Fortunately, it's easy to rule on your blocked ball, because the penalty is the same as if the overthrow would have sailed into the dugout or bleachers.  

Wade, you neglected to tell me EXACTLY where your player was when the thrown ball left the fielder's hand.  A thrown ball that is blocked or overthrown merits a two-base award predicated on the position of the batter-runner and/or runners at the point the ball leaves the fielder's hand.  If your player was between home and 1B, then the umpire made a correct award when she was returned to 2B.  If she was standing on 1B, or had already rounded it, then the umpire made an incorrect award, and she should have been returned to 3B.

The umpire should have come up big and strong and loud with a "dead ball" call when the defensive coach got hit, and made the 2B or 3B award right then and there.  It was awkward and messy that your runner made it all the way home before the umpire killed the play.  

Scott Kelly



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the response. The runner was a step short of first base when the throw was made. On a side note, the umpire had warned the coaches about getting in the dugout, and off the field already when the incident occured. No course of action was taken on the other team. My team got punished and had a run taken back because their coaches broke the rules. I really thought if the ball had it me it would be a dead ball, and if it hit their coach it was still a live ball.

ANSWER: Hi Wade,
Thank you for the followup question, and you're welcome for my first answer.  You didn't ask any additional questions, but your remarks do invite further comment.  

Regarding your runner's 2B award, the umpire did make the correct, although greatly delayed call, so that's a positive note.  The umpire should have definitely taken action against the defensive coach for being out of the dugout again, and for blocking a thrown ball.  It wouldn't have been at all out of line for the umpire to have ejected him and sent him packing to the parking lot.  It wouldn't have been enough to merely confine him to the dugout, as he had already proved himself unable to stay in the dugout, even after being warned.  

No offense intended, Wade, but I don't at all agree that your team got punished and had a run taken back.  You actually came out smelling like a rose, as your runner ended up being placed on 2B, two full bases beyond the one she had even yet earned on her own!  If the overthrow wouldn't have struck the coach, maybe it would have rebounded right into the glove of one of their infielders, who would have thrown out your runner by 10 feet on her way to 2B.  In any case, I don't see how your runner could have advanced beyond 2B.  Don't forget that your runner only went onto 3B and home through the fault of the umpire!

Finally, to address your last comment, we only play on with a live ball if an overthrown ball hits a first or third base coach.  We know if it hits a defensive coach that the ball is dead and an overthrow award applies.  If it hits an offensive coach out of the dugout, we still have a dead ball, but now we're getting into interference, and that's a whole different can of worms.

I hope this followup answer helps.  

Scott Kelly


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Now that the rule has been clearly defined I agree that returning to 2B was the correct call. To clarify what I meant about my team being punished was this: The ball was overthrown by the short stop after she booted it and had no way of getting my runner out. It bounced on the ground and slowly rolled into the coach who was already told to not be in the field. The contact caused no delay or interruption in the next play which was another over throw at third and my runner scored easily. I didn't mean it was taken away because of the umps ruling, it was taken away because the coach can't follow orders! BTW, She "earned" every base she took because of good base running! :)

Thanks for the clarification!

Answer
Hi Wade,
Thank you for getting right back to me again.  I think we've wrapped it up!  I've enjoyed corresponding with you and I wish you a great season.  Please never hesitate to get back to me or one of the other two experts!
Sincerely, Scott Kelly