ball Hit Base Runner - Live not Out?
2016/7/15 16:51:35
Question
High School Softball Rules.
Topic: Batted ball hits runner.
Situation: No out, Runner on First, Batter hit sharp bouncing ground ball past 2B infielder who was playing up, Batted ball Hits runner going from first to second.
Question. is Runner Out or Live Ball?
does proximity of other fielders matter in determination? if so, Right fielder moving in direction of hit, but still on the grass, ultimately would have fielded the ball if it went through. first basemen covering the bag, no play on ball).
(reading the rules it sounds like technically a Live Ball if hit runner after passing infielder, but is that how umpires generally rule in practice , or is it generally considered an Out)
Answer
Hi Charles,
a runner is NOT out if hit with a fair batted ball while not in contact w/ the base after it passes an infielder (exc F1) and no other fielder had an opportunity to make an out.
If in the umpires judgment F9 had no reasonable opportunity to make an out(just fielding the ball is not good enough and any benefit of the doubt should go IMO to the offense), it continues to be a live ball and we play on.
Yes, in my experience the vast majority of umpires call it by the rules, which is live ball, play on, otherwise except for the judgment call of F9 being able to make an out, the "P" word could come out as a misapplication of the playing rules.
Mark
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