BASERUNNING AWARDS RULE 8

Section 3

AOA MeetingFebruary 19, 2014

By Steve Jakes

Common Myths

• The “1+1 theory”, the runner gets the base he’s going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play.

• If a runner is returning to a base when the ball goes out of play, he gets the base he was returning to and the next base.

• BOTH ARE WRONG!

Rule 2 - Definitions

• SECTION 2 AWARDED BASES• When bases are awarded, it is the

responsibility of the runner to legally touch those bases. In actuality, it is the right to advance without a play being made that is awarded.

What should I be thinking?

• I know more about awards than “they” do.• Is the ball dead immediately, or at the end of

the play?• Will it be a one, two, three, four, or an “other”

base award?• Will I award from the time of pitch, time of

throw, or time of the infraction?

Award from the time of...

• PITCH (TOP)– if any pitch (batted or unbatted) is followed by a dead ball

before the pitcher is in position for the next pitch and before there is any throw by the fielding team

– Also on a batted ball which is the first “play” by an infielder• For purposes of this rule, the act of fielding is not considered a

play• A play is a legitimate effort by a defensive player who has

possession of the ball to actually retire a runner• A fake or feint to throw is not considered a play

Example 1

• Runner on 1st, batter hits a grounder to the shortstop who feints a throw to the 2nd baseman and then throws the ball into the dugout. At the time of the throw the runner had reached 2nd base but the batter-runner had not yet touched 1st.

• Award 2 bases from TOP, runner to 3rd, batter-runner to 2nd. – A feint is not considered a play.

Award from the time of...

• THROW (TOT) – for any subsequent play by an infielder or for any

throw by an outfielder.– Throw (not pitch) from pitcher’s plate goes out of

play – If every runner including the batter-runner, has

advanced one base at the time of the first play, the award is two bases from the time of throw

Example 2• R1 on first, pop fly behind 1st base. F3 and F9

converge, but neither can catch the ball. After it drops in fair, F3 picks it up and throws to 1st base (F1 is covering) to try and get the BR out after he had rounded 1st base. The throw goes out of play. R1 was between 2nd and 3rd at the time of the throw.

Example 2 – cont.

• First play by an infielder, but all runners including the batter runner had advanced a base at the time of the throw.

• Award - 2 bases TOT• R1 scores and BR gets third

Award from the time of...

• INFRACTION – for balks, detached equipment, illegal glove/mitt,

spectator interference, and obstruction of runner

– Which of these are immediate dead ball?– Balks & spectator interference, the rest are all

delayed dead ball.

1 Base Awards - TOP

• Awards to batter– OBVIOUS– Hit by pitch– Walk– NOT AS OBVIOUS– Pitch thrown out of play on ball four– Pitch lodges in defensive player’s or umpire’s uniform or

equipment on ball four– Batter is obstructed (DDB)– Runner interference (unintentional)– Umpire interference (hit by batted ball)

1 Base Awards – TOP

• Awards to runners– Pitch from pitcher's plate goes out of play, touches a spectator,

or lodges in umpire’s or catcher’s equipment*– Unintentional catch and carry– Catchers obstruction (if attempting to advance)– Forced (because batter is awarded 1st base)– Pitch strikes runner

*Remember Quick Quiz 1, question 1?

Example 3

• With a runner at 2nd, a fly ball is hit down the left field line. The fielder makes a running catch and carries the ball out of play.

• Award – 1 base TOP, runner gets 3rd

Example 4• Runners on 2B and 3B, suicide squeeze. F2

touches the bat or steps across the plate as batter attempts bunt, catches the ball and tags the runner out. Other runner was not stealing and remains at 2B.

• Award – This is obstruction. BR is awarded 1B and since runner on third was advancing, he is awarded home. Other runner stays at 2B since he was not stealing or forced.

1 Base Awards – cont.

• Other 1 base awards to runners

– Balk• awarded from time of infraction

– Throw from pitchers plate goes out of play• awarded from time of throw

1 Base Awards – cont.

• If the runner was attempting to advance at the time the ball becomes lodged in an offensive player’s uniform or equipment– Award one base beyond last legally acquired base– If batter-runner was attempting to reach 1B, he will be awarded

1B– Any preceding runners will advance if forced

2 Base Awards - TOP

• Fair batted ball bounces over, through, goes under, lodges in or under fence

• First throw (play) by an infielder and the ball goes out of play or lodges in or under fence

• Fair batted ball or thrown ball lodges in defensive player’s or umpire’s uniform or equipment

• Intentional catch and carry

Example 5

• Batter hits a deep fly ball to left. The fielder goes back to the fence but can’t reach the ball. The ball hits the fence then strikes the fielder and ricochets over the fence in fair territory.

• Award – 2 bases TOP, ball was no longer “in flight”.

Example 6

• Batter hits a single down the right field line. The ball rolls to a stop and the right fielder, while trying to pick up the ball, kicks it out of play. At the time of kick, the BR was just past 1B.

• Award BR third base– 2 bases TOK (fielder provided momentum)

• If the ball provided the momentum and deflected off the fielder, it would be 2 bases TOP.

Example 7

• A runner on 1st is stealing on the pitch when the batter hits a grounder to short, the shortstop fields the ball and throws it out of play beyond 1st base. At the time of his throw the runner was just past 2nd.

• This was the 1st play by an infielder so the award is from TOP. Award the runner 3rd and the batter runner 2nd.

2 Base Awards – TOT

• for any subsequent play by an infielder or for any throw by an outfielder

• If every runner including the batter-runner, has advanced one base at the time of the first play

Example 8

• With a runner on 2nd the batter hits a grounder to short, who tries to tag the runner, but misses and then throws to 1st and the throw goes into the dugout. The runner retreats to second but the batter had touched 1st at the time of the throw.

• Award – 2 bases TOT (2nd play)• Runner scores, BR to 3rd

Example 9

• A runner on 1st is stealing on the pitch when the batter hits a grounder to short, the shortstop fields the ball and throws it to 2nd to attempt a double play. The runner beats the throw into second and the relay throw to 1st is wild and goes out of play. BR had not reached first base prior to the throw.

• This overthrow was the result of a second play by an infielder. Award 2 bases TOT, score the runner from second, batter-runner gets 2nd.

Example 10

• Runners on 1st and 2nd are moving on the pitch when the batter hits a ball into the hole that is fielded by the shortstop. He just holds the ball until he sees the lead runner round 3rd at which time he throws the ball wild to 3rd and out of play. At the time of his throw both runners and the batter-runner had advanced one base.

• Award two bases TOT, both runners score and the batter-runner gets 3rd.

2 Base Awards – TOI• Live thrown ball or pitch touched by illegal glove or mitt• Live thrown ball or pitch touched by detached player

equipment which is thrown, tossed, kicked or held by fielder

– These are both delayed dead ball situations, if runners advance to or beyond the bases they would have been awarded, the infraction is ignored. Any runner who advances beyond the base he would have been awarded does so at his own risk

Example 11

• With a runner on 2nd a pitch gets away from the catcher and is rolling towards the dugout. The catcher uses his mask to stop the ball.

• Award – 2 bases TOI, runner scores

2 Base Awards – cont.

• Helpful Tip– In all 2 base award situations, the position of the

batter-runner and the runner starting on 1st are the most important. Any runners that start on 2nd or 3rd will score regardless whether the award is TOP, TOT, or TOI.

3 Base Awards

• Fair batted ball (that is not prevented from going over the fence) is contacted with detached player equipment or an illegal glove/mitt– Provided the ball when touched is on or over fair

ground, or is a fair ball over foul ground, or is over foul ground in a situation that it might become fair

– Penalty is from the time of infraction

Example 12

• Batter hits a liner over the shortstop who throws his glove at and strikes the ball.

• Award three bases from time of infraction which would be third base.

• This is a DDB play, batter runner could score, but is only protected to 3B.

• What if F6 missed the ball with the glove?

Example 13

• With a runner on 1st, the batter lays down a bunt that is rolling in foul ground but moving at a good rate towards the foul line. The catcher knocks the ball away in foul ground with his mask that he is holding in his throwing hand.

• That is a 3 base award! The runner scores and the batter-runner gets 3rd.

- This ball had a chance of becoming fair- You will probably have an ejection on this one!

4 Base Awards• Fair batted ball over the fence in flight• Fair batted ball that hits foul pole above the fence in

flight• Fair batted ball that is prevented from going over the

fence because it is touched by a spectator• Fair batted ball that is prevented from going over the

fence because of contact with detached player equipment or illegal glove/mitt

Other Awards

• Spectator Interference– Immediate dead ball– bases as determined by the umpire, who shall also

impose such penalties as in his judgment will nullify the act of spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball.

– EXCEPTION: It is not spectator interference if a spectator physically hinders a fielder who is reaching into a dead ball area to make a play on a batted or thrown ball.

Other Awards

• Obstruction– the umpire shall award the obstructed runner and each

other runner affected by the obstruction the bases they would have reached, in his opinion, had there been no obstruction.

– If the runner achieves the base he was attempting to acquire, then the obstruction is ignored.

– The obstructed runner is awarded a minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred.

Other Awards

• 1-3-7 Penalty states:– If loose equipment interferes with play, the

umpire may call out(s), award bases or return runners, based on his judgment and the circumstances concerning the play.

Note & Exception

• NOTE: When two runners are between the same bases on an overthrow into dead ball territory, the lead runner receives two bases and the following runner is awarded one, since both runners cannot share the same awarded base.

– EXCEPTION: Runners between second and third would both score, because the award doesn’t result in both runners occupying the same base.

Example 14

• With a runner on 1st the batter hits a fly ball to right field that is not caught. The runner and the batter runner are both between 1st and 2nd when the outfielder releases the ball which ends up going out of play.

• Award – 2 bases from time of throw• Runner gets 3rd, batter-runner gets 2nd.• Can’t award both 3rd, and also can’t award the original

runner 3 bases.

Example 15

• Runners on 1st and 3rd. F9 comes in as an additional infielder. A ground ball is hit to F9 in his new infield position, he bobbles the ball and then throws it out of play. At TOT R1 had reached 2nd, R3 had scored, and BR had not yet reached 1st base.

Example 15 – cont.

• Award - 2 bases TOP• F9 is considered an infielder in this situation• Lead runner scores, runner from 1st is awarded

3rd, BR awarded 2nd

Questions?