We had this one in Huntington Beach a couple of weeks ago...
Runner on 3rd, 2 out, 1-2 count on the batter. Pitcher throws a ball in the dirt, batter check swings, and the catcher immediately throws to an unoccupied 1st base for potential D3K putout prior to an appeal being made on the swing. Base umpire ruled no swing (ball 2) and home plate ump awarded ball 3 on the throw to 1st. We argued unsuccessfully that this circumstance is an exception to the rule. Were we right or wrong?
Thanks.
The Umpire Corner
Rule does not apply with runner/s on base.
And, if there had been no runners on base, there is no exception for the catcher believing she went. Without runners on, the call would have been correct.
And, if there had been no runners on base, there is no exception for the catcher believing she went. Without runners on, the call would have been correct.
- Comp
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Comp already gave you the right answer. The rules specifically say that throwing the ball to a base is not a violation whenever there is a runner on base (See ASA rule 6-7-B).
This one has another strange aspect to it. You indicate that the checked swing was appealed and that the base umpire issued a ruling of "no swing". That means that for a brief instant- up to the point where the base umpire made his ruling- either the plate umpire had: Already ruled this a strike, or; Ruled nothing, thus forcing the catcher to react as if it was a strike.
I would say that even with no other runners on base calling an extra ball would be the wrong thing to do!
This would fall under the rule about a "delayed or reversed call putting the defense in jeopardy". How can you penalize the defense for reacting in the expected, logical manner to a potential uncaught third strike situation? The umpire's delayed or reversed call put them in a spot where they pretty much had to throw to first base. I'm not going to penalize the defense and let the offense be rewarded for that!
This one has another strange aspect to it. You indicate that the checked swing was appealed and that the base umpire issued a ruling of "no swing". That means that for a brief instant- up to the point where the base umpire made his ruling- either the plate umpire had: Already ruled this a strike, or; Ruled nothing, thus forcing the catcher to react as if it was a strike.
I would say that even with no other runners on base calling an extra ball would be the wrong thing to do!
This would fall under the rule about a "delayed or reversed call putting the defense in jeopardy". How can you penalize the defense for reacting in the expected, logical manner to a potential uncaught third strike situation? The umpire's delayed or reversed call put them in a spot where they pretty much had to throw to first base. I'm not going to penalize the defense and let the offense be rewarded for that!
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Bretman - Posts: 316
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There is a runner on 3rd ... the batter didn't start to run I presume ... tell your backstop to reach up and tag the Batter ...
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GIMNEPIWO - Posts: 4339
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GIMNEPIWO wrote:There is a runner on 3rd ... the batter didn't start to run I presume ... tell your backstop to reach up and tag the Batter ...
This seems most logical as the runner would have to be standing there. If the batter is running to 1B, that changes the whole scenario, right?
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anonlooker - Posts: 3114
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