Just curious on a rules question?

Batted ball is deflected off the pit hers glove and hits the base runner going to second. Umpire called runner out stating pitcher in the circle does count as a fielder. Sounds like a blown call to me... Any thoughts?

Blown call. Runner is only out if batted ball directly hits them. That is an error on the pitcher.

Blown call. Runner is only out if batted ball directly hits them. That is an error on the pitcher.

 

Not sure excatly on the rule but it doesn't have to be an error on the pitcher either.

Just curious on a rules question?

Batted ball is deflected off the pit hers glove and hits the base runner going to second. Umpire called runner out stating pitcher in the circle does count as a fielder. Sounds like a blown call to me... Any thoughts?

 

Umpire may have missed some of the definitions and interps of this rule (and I'm using baseball realizing softball may have variations).

 

The only time the pitcher "doesn't count" is when it's a non-touched groundball that has not passed an infielder. So if he said the runner was out because the pitcher doesn't count even on a deflection he was wrong.

 

In general, once the batted ball is deflected by ANY defensive player the resulting contact with the runner is a "play on."

 

However, there then comes into play the issue of interference with the runner and fielder. Judgement call here. If the ball is deflected by the pitcher and the subsequent infielder is "making a play(key)" and contact is made with the ball the runner can be called out. IF the deflected ball instead hits the runner with a fielder in the area who COULD make a play then the runner is safe.

 

So in the original problem presented the correct call would be determined by what the nearest defensive player was actually doing at the time the ball hit the runner. The reason given by the umpire , though, was not correct for a deflected ball.

Just curious on a rules question?

Batted ball is deflected off the pit hers glove and hits the base runner going to second. Umpire called runner out stating pitcher in the circle does count as a fielder. Sounds like a blown call to me... Any thoughts?

 

Umpire is correct........the pitcher is not considered a fielder. The rule for runner's interference is the runner contacts the ball before it reaches the fielder and they would be out(if the fielder misses the ball then it hits the runner, it's not a dead ball out). However, the pitcher has exception to this rule.

Saw this online......shines a little light on it.

 

A runner who is hit by a fair batted ball is ALWAYS OUT except when:

 

1) The fielder (other than the pitcher) had a chance to field the ball (the ball passed through or within arm's reach of the fielder) and failed AND no other fielder behind the play had a chance to field the ball or;

 

2) The ball was deflected by a fielder, including the pitcher or;

 

3) He was on a base and struck by a DECLARED infield fly.

Umpire is correct........the pitcher is not considered a fielder. The rule for runner's interference is the runner contacts the ball before it reaches the fielder and they would be out(if the fielder misses the ball then it hits the runner, it's not a dead ball out). However, the pitcher has exception to this rule.

 

Unless softball has a different rule I do not think this is correct.

 

The "exception" you mention goes away as soon as the ball is deflected by any defender including the pitcher.

I have seen on several occasions where a ball hit up the middle hits of the pitcher and the second baseman changes direction and basically comes back into the baserunner going from first to second. The baserunner is out which I think is a very tough play on the runner.

I have seen on several occasions where a ball hit up the middle hits of the pitcher and the second baseman changes direction and basically comes back into the baserunner going from first to second. The baserunner is out which I think is a very tough play on the runner.

 

Baserunner isn't given a freebie. Still has to avoid the defender just like on a regular groundball.

Baserunner isn't given a freebie. Still has to avoid the defender just like on a regular groundball.

 

I understand just makes it tough when the fielder changes direction on the runner.

A couple more that I saw this weekend that I would like to throw out there.

 

We had a batter intentionally walked in ITB with runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. They did not pitch to her they just put her on 1st to load the bases. Don't they have to throw the 4 balls?

 

Second was we were on defensive and a ball hit to SS, runner going from second to third made contact with the SS, the SS continued with the play and got the girl that hit the ball out at first. I believe they called a double play, but once the runner makes contact wouldn't it be a dead ball or were they right to call both girls out.

on the first question, yes, have to pitch four balls on intentional walk.

NFHS Rule 2-63-1, "No intentional base on balls, all pitches must be delivered"

 

not sure on 2nd

Thats what I was thinking, seeing the lead runner on was on 2nd and not 3rd probably unlikely they would have thrown 2 wild pitches but you never know.

A couple more that I saw this weekend that I would like to throw out there.

 

 

Second was we were on defensive and a ball hit to SS, runner going from second to third made contact with the SS, the SS continued with the play and got the girl that hit the ball out at first. I believe they called a double play, but once the runner makes contact wouldn't it be a dead ball or were they right to call both girls out.

 

that should have been a dead ball out if I'm not mistaken and the batter should have got first. Defensive obstruction is a delayed dead ball (runner can keep going despite defensive obstruction), but offensive interference (contacting fielder or contacting ball prior to ball reaching fielder) is a dead ball play in which only the runner who interferes is called out and the runner is assumed to get a single.

Sorry I meant the batter is assumed to get a single (not positive how it's scored)