Senor Azul

Prior to 1920, OBR considered a pitch touching the bat accidentally to be a strike. Then in 1920 the rule was changed to it being a dead ball. They deleted that rule in 1921 and the rule has been called a fair or foul hit ever since.

Since no rule set was specified in the OP, here's a FED rule that actually uses the word "touch." FED rule 7-2-3...A foul ball or a fair hit (which may be a bunt) occurs when a pitch is touched by the bat of the batter who is in the batter's box. (2-5-1, 2-16-1, 2-16-2)

Babe Ruth League uses OBR. OBR covers this question in an interpretation found in the 2021 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.20, p. 59): ...As long as the pitcher is not committed to pitch, a runner may advance and is considered to occupy the last base touched at the time the pitcher initiates his actual delivery to the batter. The preliminary motion known as the "stretch" is not considered the start of the pitching motion. From a Set Position, this is defined as the moment the pitcher begins the natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter after the pitcher has come set with both hands together in front of his body.

From the 2016 BRD (section 499, p. 324): FED: The name listed on the lineup card establishes the official batting order. No penalty is provided if a player's name and number do not match in the scorebook or lineup card. Also see current case book play 1.1.3 and 2006 online interpretation #8.

From the 2023 FED rule 3-4-1: ...Time granted for an obviously incapacitated player shall not constitute a charged conference... Case Book play 3.4.1 Situation F: "A conference is not charged when 'Time' is called for an obviously incapacitated player..." If the umpire believes that a player is faking an injury so that a coach can talk to the pitcher or another defensive player without being charged a conference, the umpire may prohibit additional conferences from taking place at that time.

The 2021-2022 NCAA rules clarified that their FPSR does not apply to the batter-runner. Also, under the original 1845 written rules runners could be put out by possessing the ball and stepping on the base the runner was advancing to. They changed the rule in 1848 to only first base could a runner be retired in that way. The definition of a force play didn't come along till the early 1860s. The out at first by just touching the base has been almost always the way game has been played.

From the 2016 BRD (p. 27): 14 APPEALS: PITCHER THROWS FROM PITCHER'S PLATE FED: No provision. Treat as in NCAA. NCAA: It is not a balk if the pitcher from the rubber throws to a base for an appeal. (8-6b-10) This section has been in the BRD since 1992 yet Mr. Childress didn't figure out that FED rule 6-2-4b was all that was needed.

NFHS case book play 2.29.6 Situation B: Ruling:..."Because an appeal is not a play..." Two different definitions of the terms--why use them interchangeably?

I can quickly and easily find the following statement for OBR and NCAA: An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play. I think that would also apply to FED baseball as well. I will do a little research and come back later. But for now, Mr. maven, don't we have something of a conflict if we use the definition of a play as a definition of appeal?

The OBR interpretation that Mr. MadMax posted earlier can be found in the 2021 MiLBUM (and also in the MLBUM) in section 6.27 on pages 118-119. The NCAA actually has this in its rule 8-6b-10. According to the 2016 BRD, there's no FED provision and it recommends that we use the NCAA rule for high school games. I searched but couldn't find any FED case plays. The closest (and it's not that close) I found is current case book play 2.29.6 Situation B with a pitcher throwing to third for an appeal but it doesn't actually say the pitcher is engaged.

Is this what you are asking about? 6.1.3 Situation E: With R1, F1 receives the ball from F2 and with the feet in set position stance and in contact with the pitcher's plate (a) nervously tosses ball in glove two or three times, or (b) removes the ball from the glove. RULING: This is a balk in (a) and (b). Restrictions on F1's movements begin when F1 intentionally contacts the pitcher's plate with the pivot foot.

Mr. Tborze, there was a change made to FED rule 2-32-2 in 2017. It allowed sliding runners at the plate to overslide and make contact with a fielder. Here's the rationale given in the online interpretations: ...The committee altered this rule since the physical design of home plate makes it difficult for a runner to break momentum on a slide as opposed to the other three elevated bases...

Check out the NFHS online interpretations that would seem to indicate that it would be an illegal slide: 2000 FED online Situation 12

In 2023 FED introduced a new rule that defines the term "lodged ball." That rule is 2-4-4. The scenario presented in the OP fits the definition--it's an immediate dead ball. We have to go to rule 8-3-3d to get the penalty which is one base.

What exactly did the batter do for you to get BI, Mr. NavyBlue? I ask because FED actually has some guidelines for judging batter's interference during a steal of third: 2023 NFHS case book play 7.3.5 Situation E: With less than two outs, R2 on second and B2 at the plate, R2 attempts to steal third. In the process, B2, who bats right-handed, after swinging or not swinging at the pitch (a) makes no attempt to get out of the way of F2 throwing to third or (b) is unable to make an attempt to get out of the way of F2 throwing to third. As a result, F2 cannot make a play on the runner. Is B2 out, and must R2 return to second? Ruling: B2 is not guilty of interference in (a) or (b). B2 is entitled to a position in the batter's box and is not subject to being penalized for interference unless B2 moves or re-establishes a position after F2 has received the pitch, which then prevents F2 from attempting to play on a runner. Failing to move so F2 can make a throw is not batter interference.

Mr. JMGotts, the text shown in the video you posted is taken from the Major League Baseball Umpire Manual (MLBUM). It is one example of 14 obstruction and interference plays. The exact same play can be found in the 2021 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (MiLBUM): Play 1: Runner on first base; batter-runner gets into a rundown between home and first. Can obstruction be called going back to home? Ruling 1: No, unless the obstruction is intentional. NOTE: In situations where the batter-runner gets into a rundown between first and home, if the batter-runner retreats and reaches home plate, he shall be declared out. For FED, there is a current case play that tells us the same thing: 8.1.1 Situation A The NCAA actually covers this in its rule 7-11p Note 3.

From the 2021 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.2, p. 52): ...When holding a runner on at first or third base, a fielder sometimes positions one foot in foul territory. Though no penalty is specified in the Official Baseball Rules, the umpire shall instruct the fielder to position both feet in fair territory if brought to his attention. From that point in the game, strict enforcement shall apply for both teams...

From the 2023 NFHS rule book rule 3-1-1: ...Projected substitutions are not allowed... You may find these case plays helpful: 3.1.1 Situation E 3.1.2 Situation C

From the 2021 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.41, p. 69): The exception to Rule 5.09(b)(4) prohibits the batter-runner from being tagged out for overrunning or oversliding first base if he immediately returns to the base. However, once the batter-runner returns to first base safely after overrunning/oversliding the base, he is no longer protected from being tagged out if he subsequently loses contact with the base.

From the 2016 BRD (section 541, p. 353): Note 505: You must understand, though, that reversing a call from "fair" to "foul" causes no rules problem. You'll face an argument, but the changed call will not affect the outcome of the play. That is true whether fielders or runners reacted to an initial "point" toward fair territory. If the ball is subsequently ruled foul, simply order the batter back to the box--and any runners back to bases occupied TOP...

The first written baseball rules are commonly called the Knickerbocker rules. Originally the way any runner was put out was to be in possession of the ball and step on the base the runner was advancing to. In 1848 the rule was changed to just apply that method to first base. I believe the definition of a force play came along in the 1860s. So retiring the batter-runner at first base by just stepping on the base has never been considered a force out.

Deleted--somehow was duplicated.

No, first base is not a force out base. It doesn't meet the definition so a force cannot be reestablished--in addition, a batter-runner is never considered to occupy home plate. We had a similar discussion a long time ago and to be honest I was shouted down then. The consensus then was the same as it appears to be now that the runner can be put out simply by stepping on first. Not a whole lot is written about this kind of play but I did post the following in the old thread: 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual (p. 47): A batter-runner who advances to first base and then retreats to the home plate side of first base can be tagged out while off the base. We already have a rule in place--if a runner attains a base and chooses to leave the safety of the base he is then in jeopardy of being tagged out.

Item B is covered in rule 4-1-3 and 4-4-1f Note 1: ...Each team's lineup card shall list a minimum of nine players to start the game... Item C is covered in rule 4-1-3b and its following Penalty: Please note that rule 4-1's header reads: Starting a Game

It has happened a few times at Wrigley Field when one ball went in and two popped out. It has also been rumored that players have stashed an extra ball in the ivy for emergency use.