Baseball rules question.

[Kilmer17]

Im stumped on this call.

Yesterday in my sons game the following happened.

1 out, runners on 1st and 2nd.

Ground ball to short. Runner on second heads to third. Shortstop touches second, then throws to first, but runner is safe.

Runner on 3rd is off of the base and the throw goes there, he gets back in time. The runner on 1st then akes off for second. But the runner who was out at 2nd is still standing on the bag. So he takes off for third (remember, he's already out) and get's caught in a run down, for which he goes back and forth 3 times before being tagged out. The runner at 3rd scores, and the runner on 1st heads back to 1st.

The umps allow the run, and allow the runner to remain at 1st so the only out was the initial force out at 2nd.

The play had no affect on the outcome, even at the time it didnt really matter.

But I cant figure out how that can be legal, or what the call SHOULD have been.

Thoughts?

[Dan T.]

My guess is that everyone was laughing too hard for it to matter.


Sounds like the umps got it right, though. Unless they didn't make a demonstrative enough "Out" call on the tagged runner, because it sounds like neither the runner nor the fielders knew that he was actually out.

[Kilmer17]

My guess is that everyone was laughing too hard for it to matter.


Sounds like the umps got it right, though. Unless they didn't make a demonstrative enough "Out" call on the tagged runner, because it sounds like neither the runner nor the fielders knew that he was actually out.

He was clearly out at second, and I think just got confused and caught up in the moment. I dont think it was intentional to put himself back in the play. My question though is, can the umps call a different player out in that situation if the runner puts himself back into the play? Or is it the defenses responsibility to know who is out and ignore them if they stay int he play?

[Bang]

The umpire should have stopped the play when the run down happened. Put the kids back on third and second.

Whether that is by the book I don't know, but seems to make sense. The kid who hit the ball should get second because he got the base on his own due to the throw to 3rd, and the kid who was out then screwed up the play by causing the run down after he was already out.
No way the run should count.

~Bang

[Kilmer17]

Not alot of laughing, lots of parents and coaches screaming though. Championship game of the tournament, not a sat am tee ball game.

[Drop]

The umpire should have stopped the play when the run down happened. Put the kids back on third and second.

Whether that is by the book I don't know, but seems to make sense. The kid who hit the ball should get second because he got the base on his own due to the throw to 3rd, and the kid who was out then screwed up the play by causing the run down after he was already out.
No way the run should count.

~Bang

this is what i would have said. sounds like the ump got caught up and confused. and the kid coming to 2nd apparently didn't know he was called out.

[Dan T.]

It does raise an interesting question. What limits are there on what a runner can do on the field once he is called out? If he gets in the way of a fielder, I suppose he could be called for interference, though that doesn't seem to apply in this case.

What is a runner called out supposed to do? Stand in place? Head for the dugout? What can't he do?

[TMK9973]

why? I'm not sure what was against the rules... The umps rulled him out at second (I assume clearly) and then the team on Defense spent time doing a run down with a guy who was already out. Its the fault of the defense for throwing the ball back and forth with each other.

Take the runner out of the play. If during a play the 2nd and SS just started playing catch, should the other runners have to stop running?

[Mufumonk]

At most the Umps could have ruled the ball dead, put the runner back on 3rd and given the batter 2nd. 2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd. But, I don't think they got the call wrong. Baseball is about knowing your situation and you do not run the pickle in that instance with a guy on 3rd. And, a run down should never take more than 1 throw.

[GritzRgreat]

I've coached girls softball for about 6 years.Its the defenses responsibility to know the situation and the coaches responsibility to keep them heads up. Remember, in LL baseball most games have only one ump. He can't see everything, i've learned that the hard way.

[Corcaigh]

If the out runner was interfering with play, then I think the ball could have been called dead.

[Hersh]

Here is the rule: Rule 7.09(d) Any batter or runner who has just been put out hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate; Comment: If the batter or a runner continues to advance after he has been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders.

[Bubble Screen]

The team on defense doesn't seem to be that well coached. The umps probably made the right call. If the defensive players are too dumb to be chasing a guy that is already out, then they shouldn't be rewarded in any way.

[Kilmer17]

I think that's close, and if he was just running to third it might apply, but he actively tried to avoid a tag in the run down.

I think the dead ball would be the only thing that could be called. But we see runners called out at first if a runner interferes with a double play move at second.

Crazy play. Just happy it didnt affect the outcome.

And FWIW, their were 2 umps. And had gotten 2 other rules issues wrong over the weekend. 1 on a swing and subsequent HBP that they awarded the runner 1st and another on a play with 2 kids at 2nd at the same time, they ruled the wrong kid out by the tag.

[Kilmer17]

The team on defense doesn't seem to be that well coached. The umps probably made the right call. If the defensive players are too dumb to be chasing a guy that is already out, then they shouldn't be rewarded in any way.

9 year kids get excited and forget simple things.


All the time in fact.