Softball rules question

[imgreat95]

Something I never thought of happened in our game tonight. A runner was caught in a run down between third and home. The catcher threw the ball, and it hit the runner in the face. The runner went down. The 3rd baseman picked up the ball and tagged the runner lying on the ground. The runner was called out. Didn't seem like a very fair thging to me, and I am not totally convinced that it was even the right call.

[amag]

I think, for the runner to not be out, it would have had to be called a dead ball once it hit them and they went down. I haven't heard of that kind of call being made before, however.

Play would probably be live, I think, as I doubt it would be a dead ball, nor interference on the runner's part when it got thrown at them.

I haven't read the rulebooks but it would be my guess that an injury (or whatever it was) doesn't stop a play. But in my opinion, an occurence like that that directly affects the outcome of a play shouldn't be live, because yes, it is unfair, although the rules may say otherwise.

[imgreat95]

See, logic says to me that it would still be a live ball. However, what is to prevent a catcher from intentionally pegging a runner who he knows will be safe to prevent him from being safe? Softball and/or baseball could turn pretty ugly in a situation like that, I would think.

[awefullspellare]

if you get hit by a throw your safe if you get hit by a hit your out.. thats how i have always played dont know what the "real rules" are though

[PopTop]

The runner is out according to my latest ASA rulebook (1998) ... It will only be ruled a dead ball and play stopped if the throw careens off the runner and into deadball territory (i.e., the dugout or beyond some predetermined and marked OB line).

Nothing in any rulebook I know of that makes it illegal for a fielder, other than the pitcher, of course, to purposely throw at a baserunner.

[Durango53]

Originally posted by PopTop
The runner is out according to my latest ASA rulebook (1998) ... It will only be ruled a dead ball and play stopped if the throw careens off the runner and into deadball territory (i.e., the dugout or beyond some predetermined and marked OB line).

Nothing in any rulebook I know of that makes it illegal for a fielder, other than the pitcher, of course, to purposely throw at a baserunner.
You are right PopTop...
The ball was live and the runner is out....

[imgreat95]

I spoke with R. Luau Bowers this morning. He is the Umpire in Chief in the state of Pennsylvania for the ASA. He told me that the oinly time the ball wopuld be dead would be if the runner intentionally interfered with the ball. Such as if he was heading home, and interfered with it, the ball would be called dead, and the runner sent back to third.

Seems to me that this rule is a bit backwards. I would thiunk that if the runner interfered intentionally, he should be called out. If the fielder threw the ball at the runner, the ball should be called dead.


Oh well, such is life. At least the out didn't cost us the game or anything.

[amag]

But there is no rule for dealing with a fielder intentionally hitting a runner with a ball?

[awefullspellare]

so if you hit the guy with the ball play goes on... makes sense i guess..

[imgreat95]

Apparently, if you think you will be out, as a runner, you should just interfere with the ball. As a fielder, if you think the runner will end up safe, just peg him in the head.