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Double 1st Base

2016/7/15 16:54:45


Question
Hi Dr. Mark -
You have helped me out in the past and you are my "go to" as soon as I am not satisfied with the answers I receive so here I am...
In regards to the double 1st base rule which always seemed so easily understood, we had a 16U ASA tourney where there was a bunt fielded by the catcher on the 3rd base line.  The throw pulled the F3 into foul territory, so she fielded and tagged the orange base. There was no interference by the runner who stepped on the white portion.
The ruling from the umpire was: runner is safe. the only time that the fielder can use the orange portion was in fielding a ball thrown from FOUL territory, not fair.  
Is that true? I could not find any specifics on that. If Rule 8-2 M(4) stood alone, I could see how it could be interpreted that way, but right below that, M(5) says errant throw without mentioning where it came from.

I did have a chance to talk to the Ump after the game and he said that it was in the "rule supplements" of the umpire rule book.  

Could you please clarify this for me, and if he was correct could you tell me where I might get a copy of the "umpires rule book and supplements"?

I thank you in advance for your help and knowledge, and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Mike  -NY

Answer
Hi Mike,

There is no ASA RS that discusses the double base.  However as you know there is a rule that covers this...8-2-m-5. On an errant throw pulling the defense off the white portion of the base into foul ground, the defense and the batter-runner can use either the white or colored portion.  There is no qualification that the throw must come from foul territory on m-5.

The umpire was obviously incorrect in their understanding of the rule and subject to the "P" word, and also misunderstands the intent of this rule is safety for both the offense and defense.

You can register as an umpire or ask your commish how to get one, or buy last years edition from an umpire, a $100 bill would do nicely.

Mark
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