Bunt-INT-out of the box....

[Thunderheads]

nice example from the other night ..................

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21375383&c_id=mlb

[Jeff C.]

I started a varsity game about two weeks ago with the same exact situation. First batter of the game and I nailed it.

[JaxRolo]

Not to go off subject but this is a teaching moment for me.

Let's say the ball did not touch the runner and the catchers mask touched the ball like it did at the end of the play.

What would the ruling be?

[UmpJM]

Jax,

Foul ball. No intent by the catcher to hit the ball (in my judgement, anyway) so the mask is just a "foreign object". Since the ball ends up touching the foreign object while on foul territory, it's a foul ball.

JM

[PonyUmpire]

Jax,

Foul ball. No intent by the catcher to hit the ball (in my judgement, anyway) so the mask is just a "foreign object". Since the ball ends up touching the foreign object while on foul territory, it's a foul ball.

JM

If it's intentional then its a 3 base award, right?

[Jocko]

Jax, consider the mask the same as a bat. The intent is what you're looking for.

[UmpJM]

Jax,

Foul ball. No intent by the catcher to hit the ball (in my judgement, anyway) so the mask is just a "foreign object". Since the ball ends up touching the foreign object while on foul territory, it's a foul ball.

JM

If it's intentional then its a 3 base award, right?

Pony,

Only if it's a FAIR batted ball - or one that the umpire judges likely would have become fair absent the illegal use of detached equipment.

If it's just a foul ball, it's nothing.

JM

[Jocko]

Jax,

Foul ball. No intent by the catcher to hit the ball (in my judgement, anyway) so the mask is just a "foreign object". Since the ball ends up touching the foreign object while on foul territory, it's a foul ball.

JM

If it's intentional then its a 3 base award, right?

all I have is Fed reference, but yes, if the ball is fair.

[OHUMP]

What if it was intentioanal and the hit by detached equipment kept it from coming back fair don't you still have the award but again that would be a total judgement call.

[noumpere]

What if it was intentioanal and the hit by detached equipment kept it from coming back fair don't you still have the award but again that would be a total judgement call.

See UmpJMs post number 7.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Jax,

Foul ball. No intent by the catcher to hit the ball (in my judgement, anyway) so the mask is just a "foreign object". Since the ball ends up touching the foreign object while on foul territory, it's a foul ball.

JM

If it's intentional then its a 3 base award, right?

yes and it is a live ball.