What is the ruling on this play?

[mazzamouth]

Fun one.....

No out. R1. Batter has a 0-0 count. Pitch pitches the ball. Batter swings and misses, but swings so hard that his helmet comes off. It eventually comes to rest upside down, between the batter's box and home plate. Catcher doesn't catch the ball. It pops out of his glove and goes straight up above his head. R1, seeing this, breaks for second. When the ball comes down, it goes inside the Batters helmet. Catcher tries to get the ball out of the batting helmet to retire R1 at second base as the Batter also reaches for his helmet. They don't make contact, but Batter backs away and looks at Umpire.

[Umpire in Chief]

I'll take a shot Mike..

I've got a whole lot of nothing.

[dddunn3d]

By the authority invested in me by the rules:

If the batter makes any move that may interfere with F2's opportunity to make a play on R1, then:

(1) If F2's play results in an out, the out stands.

(2) If F2's play is not successful, or no attempt is made, return the runner.

Both instances the batter remains at bat.

If the batter does not make a possible interfering move, the result of the play stands.

[tiger49]

I would rule the same in the same way you would rule on a ball lodged in a player's uniform.

Play is dead. Award bases such as to nullify the act (of lodging in equipment) which in this case would be, R1 to 2B or return to 1B depending on where you think he would've gotten. Keeping in mind that you can't give the defense an out.

[yawetag]

I would rule the same in the same way you would rule on a ball lodged in a player's uniform.

Play is dead. Award bases such as to nullify the act (of lodging in equipment) which in this case would be, R1 to 2B or return to 1B depending on where you think he would've gotten. Keeping in mind that you can't give the defense an out.

You're contradicting yourself. Do we do it the same as lodging in a player's uniform or nullify the act?

[mstaylor]

I would treat it the same as a ball OOP, one base.

[Mr Umpire]

To me,this would be no different than if it was a thrown ball and the runner's helmet fell off and the ball went inside of it. Play the bounce. If intentional (which I would find hard to believe) or the batter does anything such as pick up the helmet, stop play and award an out if one is possible. But, otherwise, I have nothing and play on.

[mazzamouth]

Detached equipment is only on the defense... the batter did not intentionally take off his helmet, so you can't call INT on that.. the ball is not lodged into the catcher or Umpires equipment so there is no base award for that..Back swing INT only applies when a bat strikes the catcher. I'm using 9.01c and leaving the runner at 2nd, but i am not ruling it our of play..

The Umpire left the Runner at 2nd.. and neither coach said a word...I have talked to bunch of people and we all agree pretty much what I posted.. Leave Runner at 2nd, and keep the ball live.. since the batter did not take the helmet off intentionally, there really is nothing...LOL

[tiger49]

Part of my ruling would come from the Baseball Canada interp

8) Ball Going into Player’s Uniform

Existing Rule 5.09(g), 7.05(f), 7.05(g), 7.05(h), 7.05(i)

If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach’s uniform (or lodges

in the catcher’s face mask or paraphernalia), the umpire shall call ``Time.`` The umpire

will place all runners, including the batter-runner, in such a manner that in the umpire`s

judgment, will nullify the action of the ball going out of play. In no circumstance may

any outs be recorded on such a play.

This does not apply to situations where a batted or thrown ball lodges in a fielder`s

glove. In that case, the ball is alive and in play. A fielder may legally throw the glove

with the live ball lodged in the glove. Any fielder in possession of the glove containing

the lodged ball is considered in possession of the ball for the purpose of the Rules.

This is taken from the MLB/MiLB interpretation as well. I believe that they put out a press release in 2003 or 2004 about this, but haven't been able to find it.

[mazzamouth]

Part of my ruling would come from the Baseball Canada interp

8) Ball Going into Player’s Uniform

Existing Rule 5.09(g), 7.05(f), 7.05(g), 7.05(h), 7.05(i)

If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach’s uniform (or lodges

in the catcher’s face mask or paraphernalia), the umpire shall call ``Time.`` The umpire

will place all runners, including the batter-runner, in such a manner that in the umpire`s

judgment, will nullify the action of the ball going out of play. In no circumstance may

any outs be recorded on such a play.

This does not apply to situations where a batted or thrown ball lodges in a fielder`s

glove. In that case, the ball is alive and in play. A fielder may legally throw the glove

with the live ball lodged in the glove. Any fielder in possession of the glove containing

the lodged ball is considered in possession of the ball for the purpose of the Rules.

This is taken from the MLB/MiLB interpretation as well. I believe that they put out a press release in 2003 or 2004 about this, but haven't been able to find it.

Well this doesn't apply here either,a s it is not a thrown or batted ball....

[noumpere]

Part of my ruling would come from the Baseball Canada interp

8) Ball Going into Player’s Uniform

Existing Rule 5.09(g), 7.05(f), 7.05(g), 7.05(h), 7.05(i)

If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach’s uniform (or lodges

in the catcher’s face mask or paraphernalia), the umpire shall call ``Time.`` The umpire

will place all runners, including the batter-runner, in such a manner that in the umpire`s

judgment, will nullify the action of the ball going out of play. In no circumstance may

any outs be recorded on such a play.

This does not apply to situations where a batted or thrown ball lodges in a fielder`s

glove. In that case, the ball is alive and in play. A fielder may legally throw the glove

with the live ball lodged in the glove. Any fielder in possession of the glove containing

the lodged ball is considered in possession of the ball for the purpose of the Rules.

This is taken from the MLB/MiLB interpretation as well. I believe that they put out a press release in 2003 or 2004 about this, but haven't been able to find it.

Well this doesn't apply here either,a s it is not a thrown or batted ball....

But it would still apply to a pitch wouldnt it? I mean if the pitch bounced off the catcher and down the batters shirt wouldnt you apply this rule to put everyone where they belonged?

[Dragon29]

Well this doesn't apply here either,a s it is not a thrown or batted ball....

Nor is it an issue of a ball entering or being lodged in a properly worn uniform or piece of equipment.

I concur - Leave the runner @ 2B - Play on.

[UmpJeff]

I got what I see when my eyes are closed...nothing. Except, now, the Batter has an 0-1 count and the Runner is now on 2nd Base.