BASE AWARDS
SEE ALSO: FIELDERS' EQUIPMENT
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THROWN BALLS
RULE 5.06(b)(4) - Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance…
(G) Two bases when...a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence... The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made.
APPROVED RULING: If all runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made.
Comment: The term “when the wild throw was made” means when the throw actually left the player’s hand and not when the thrown ball...goes out of play.
Comment: In certain circumstances it is impossible to award a runner two bases. Example: Runner on first. Batter hits fly to short right. Runner holds up between first and second and batter comes around first and pulls up behind him. Ball falls safely. Outfielder, in throwing to first, throws ball into stands. Since no runner, when the ball is dead, may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled, the runner originally on first base goes to third base and the batter is held at second base.
The red type is very important. In the majority of cases, bases are awarded based on the position of the runners at the time the wild throw leaves the player's hand, not when it actually goes out of play.
But then we have that "first play by an infielder" stipulation. That only gets interesting when a runner at first is stealing on a pitch batted into play and reaches second base before an infielder releases a wild throw and the batter-runner has yet to reach first base. Your mind may trick you into thinking he is awarded home, but he would only be awarded third base in this instance. This situation doesn't come up too often...which means it will happen in your next game.
"The base they're going to, plus one" is not accurate for multiple reasons.
If a runner is retreating to first base after a fly ball has been caught, he is "going to" first base, but he will be awarded two bases from where he is at the time of throw...and will be awarded third base.
See the orange Comment, a commonly forgotten rule.
PITCHERS THROWING
RULE 5.06(b)(4) - Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance…
(I) One base, if the batter becomes a runner on Ball Four or Strike Three, when the pitch passes the catcher and lodges in the umpire’s mask or paraphernalia. If the batter becomes a runner on a wild pitch which entitles the runners to advance one base, the batter-runner shall be entitled to first base only.
Great example of 5.06(b)(4)(I).
RULE 5.06(b)(4)(h) - Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance…One base, if a ball, pitched to the batter, or thrown by the pitcher from his position on the pitcher’s plate to a base to catch a runner, goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead.
APPROVED RULING: When a wild pitch or passed ball goes through or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher, and goes directly into the dugout, stands, above the break, or any area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be one base. One base shall also be awarded if the pitcher while in contact with the rubber, throws to a base, and the throw goes directly into the stands or into any area where the ball is dead.
If, however, the pitched or thrown ball goes through or by the catcher or through the fielder, and remains on the playing field, and is subsequently kicked or deflected into the dugout, stands or other area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be two bases from position of runners at the time of the pitch or throw.
RULE 5.07(e) - Effect of Removing Pivot Foot From Plate
If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder.
Rule 5.07(e) Comment: The pitcher, while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a wild throw, such throw is the throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the rules covering a ball thrown by a fielder.
Runners are awarded one base if the pitcher, while on the rubber, throws the ball out of play either on a pitch or on a pickoff attempt to a base.
When the pitcher steps off the rubber with his pivot foot to attempt a pickoff and makes a wild throw out of play, two-base awards are in effect.
Wild pitches that deflect off the catcher or umpire and go out of play are subject to one-base awards.
If the pitch/pickoff attempt from the rubber stays in play...and a fielder retrieving the ball then propels the loose ball out of play, two-base awards are in effect.
BALK BASE AWARDS
RULE 5.06(b)(3) - Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when... There is a balk.
[BALK] PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk.
In OBR, a balk is not an immediate dead ball. If the pitcher still delivers the pitch and all runners, including the batter-runner, advance one base, for whatever reason, the balk is ignored. Managers do not have the option of selecting the outcome of the play, unlike CATCHER'S INTERFERENCE.
If all runners including the batter-runner do not advance a base, the balk penalties are enforced...and the pitch never happened.
FIELDERS GOING OUT OF PLAY
RULE 5.06(b)(3)(C) - Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when… a fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out-of-play area.
RULE 5.09(a)(1) Comment: A fielder may reach into, but not step into, a dugout to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. A fielder, in order to make a catch on a foul ball nearing a dugout or other out-of-play area (such as the stands), must have one or both feet on or over the playing surface (including the lip of the dugout) and neither foot on the ground inside the dugout or in any other out-of-play area. Ball is in play, unless the fielder, after making a legal catch, steps or falls into a dugout or other out-of-play area, in which case the ball is dead.
Catch Comment: If a fielder, attempting a catch at the edge of the dugout, is “held up” and kept from an apparent fall by a player or players of either team and the catch is made, it shall be allowed.
With a runner on first base, Jeter dives into the stands, with his feet still over the playing surface, makes the catch, and then falls into the stands. This is a legal catch. However, the second-base umpire already has his hands up signaling a dead ball and is pointing at second base, declaring the runner at first has been awarded one base. NOTE: If this same type of play occurs at the outfield fence, it is NOT a home run. The same rules apply. The ball is dead, and all runners advance one base.
Some recreational fields do not have fences or stands enclosing the outfield. At the pre-game plate conference with managers, be sure both teams are aware of what the out-of-play boundaries are. You treat those boundaries as if they are the stands in this Jeter example. A right fielder running over to make a great catch but his momentum taking him out of play will result in an automatic one-base award for all runners.
TIPS FOR UMPIRES
At the pre-game plate conference with managers, make sure both teams are aware of what is in play and what is out of play.
Note the position of a right-handed pitcher's back (pivot) foot on pickoff plays to first base. If he does the "spin" move (see: BALKS) and throws the ball out of play past the first baseman, this is only a one-base award. If he does the quick step off the back of the rubber and then throws the ball out of the play on the pickoff, it's a two-base award.
"Delayed dead ball" balks are most prevalent in lower leagues where the most common balk is a pitcher not coming to a complete stop in the Set Position. By the time the balk is called, the pitcher has most likely delivered the pitch. Stay on your toes and remember the ball is still live!
ON THROWN BALLS, DEVELOP THIS HABIT: Second base is your "trigger man." When any throw is made from the outfield, take a quick glance at your runner going from first to second base on the play, if there even is one. This takes a split second, becomes second nature after a while, and you will be able to access the info if the thrown ball goes out of play.
If that runner is between first and second base, your job is already done! He will be awarded third and CANNOT be awarded home for any reason, even if the batter-runner has reached first base at the time of throw.
If your runner has touched second base at the time of the throw, he'll be awarded home, so you then peek at first base confirm what the batter-runner's base award will potentially be. You never have to think about runners' positioning from second base onward because their two-base awards will be sending them home. You still watch for proper running and touching of the bases, obviously.
QUICK QUIZ
R2 is on second base. R1 is on first base. The Batter hits a ground ball to the second baseman, who throws the ball out of play attempting to get the Batter-Runner out at first. Where are all runners placed?
This is the first throw from an infielder, so all runners are awarded two bases from the time of the pitch. R2 is awarded home. R1 is awarded third base. Batter-Runner is awarded second base.
R2 is standing on second base. The Pitcher does not come to a complete stop in his delivery of the pitch to the Batter. The Umpire calls a balk, the pitcher delivers the pitch, and it hits the Batter. What is the correct placement of the runners?
Because R2 is not forced to third on the batter-runner being awarded first on the hit-by-pitch, all runners have not advanced a base on the play. The balk is enforced, R2 is awarded third base, and the hit batter returns to the batter's box; the "balk pitch" never happened.
R2 is standing on second base. The Pitcher does not come to a complete stop in his delivery of the pitch to the Batter. The Umpire calls a balk, the pitcher delivers the pitch, and the Batter hits one into the gap. R2 scores, and the Batter-Runner reaches second base. What is the correct placement of the runners?
Because all runners including the Batter-Runner have advanced one base on the "balk pitch," the balk is ignored.
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