Rules Quiz

[Jocko]

Thought it might be interesting to start a thread quizzing about rules and situations. When responding, give rules references for whichever ruleset you're quoting. If you know the answer, but don't have a reference, look it up! Now's the time to be poring through those rule/case/interps!

I'll start....

Which of these situations creates a DDB?

(a ) IFF occurs

(b ) fair fly, fair line drive, or fair bunt in flight is intentionally dropped

(c ) spectator INT over fair ground and ball is uncaught

(d ) spectator INT ove foul ground and ball IS caught

Remember, the purpose is not to merely get the answer correct, but to know and reference WHY the answer is correct. Good luck!

[jjskitours]

Of course (B) requires at least a runner be on 1st base. I don't see any of the above as DDB

[Jocko]

Of course (B) requires at least a runner be on 1st base. I don't see any of the above as DDB

of course you're correct. I got this straight out of the HS Casebook.

I'll give the reference when I get home, unless someone beats me to it.

[UmpTTS43]

When giving questions, it would be helpful if you noted what rule set you are using.

[Jocko]

When giving questions, it would be helpful if you noted what rule set you are using.

The exercise is to get folks to open their rule/case/interps. All of these are covered in every rule set. Just so happens I got this particular one from HSCB.

[mstaylor]

When giving questions, it would be helpful if you noted what rule set you are using.

The OP says to answer in whichever code you wish, just specify which you are quoting.

[Jocko]

Reference NFHSCB 7.4.1 Situation C

"Ruling - none of those causes a DDB. In a, nothing has occurred to cause the ball to become dead. In b, the ball is declared dead as soon as infielder intentionally drops the ball. All runners return to bases occupied at TOP. In c and d, the ball becomes dead as soon as the spectator touches it. The batter is out when INT by a spectator clearly prevents any fielder from catching the batter's fly ball. If the umpire does not impose any penalties or make any awards to nullify the act of INT, then all runners must return to the bases they legally occupied at TOP (5-1-1e, 8-3-3e, 8-4-1)."

[Richvee]

Hmmm. A multiple choice question with no correct answer. I'll probably see this question on this year's State refresher exam.

[Jocko]

This one could spark some debate.

F1 toes the rubber with both hands in front, feet apart. He then moves his feet to "come set" with a ) no runners on base, b ) runners on base.

Give reference to the rule set YOU are quoting

[noumpere]

This one could spark some debate.

F1 toes the rubber with both hands in front, feet apart. He then moves his feet to "come set" with a ) no runners on base, b ) runners on base.

Give reference to the rule set YOU are quoting

Need more information on the position of the feet as he toes the rubber. If you mean he takes the rubber already in the set position with the hands together then that's a balk in HS and jsut a do over in pro. If you mean he was in the wind up then that in and of itself is legal but moving to a set is a balk in both codes. Both of the above with runners of course. With no runners its an illegal pitch and a ball in HS but a do over in both situations in pro.

[Jocko]

This one could spark some debate.

F1 toes the rubber with both hands in front, feet apart. He then moves his feet to "come set" with a ) no runners on base, b ) runners on base.

Give reference to the rule set YOU are quoting

Need more information on the position of the feet as he toes the rubber. If you mean he takes the rubber already in the set position with the hands together then that's a balk in HS and jsut a do over in pro. If you mean he was in the wind up then that in and of itself is legal but moving to a set is a balk in both codes. Both of the above with runners of course. With no runners its an illegal pitch and a ball in HS but a do over in both situations in pro.

should have specified "set" position. My mistake. References? NCAA?

[UmpTTS43]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

[Rich Ives]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

OBR BR is out - the rest of the play stands.

[BRUMP]

How bout this bases loaded 0 outs. Ground ball hit to F4. R1 is not paying attention and 1b coach pushes him along. F4 throws to F2 who steps on home who throws to F5 who tags R2. What's the call?

[Richvee]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

OBR BR is out - the rest of the play stands.

FED- DDB, R1's out stands, BR is out , and R2 returns to 3rd.

3-2-2

ART. 2 . . . No coach shall physically assist a runner during playing action.

PENALTY: The ball is dead at the end of playing action. The involved ­batter-runner or runner is out and any additional outs made on the play stand. Runners not put out return to bases occupied at the time of the infraction.

[Richvee]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

OBR BR is out - the rest of the play stands.

I have a question. Is this a dead ball in OBR? Reading 7.09(h) I don't see any provision for letting the play continue. Is it simply....

PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.

If so, then in OBR, if the BR was pushed before the out was made @3rd, and R2 was between 3rd and home, do we only have one out and runners @ 2nd & 3rd?

[Rich Ives]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

OBR BR is out - the rest of the play stands.

I have a question. Is this a dead ball in OBR? Reading 7.09(h) I don't see any provision for letting the play continue. Is it simply....

PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.

If so, then in OBR, if the BR was pushed before the out was made @3rd, and R2 was between 3rd and home, do we only have one out and runners @ 2nd & 3rd?

This is how it's called in OBR:

JEA:

When a play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire should call "Time" and enforce the penalty. The runner is out and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference (assistance).

If no play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire shall signal that the runner is out and allow the ball to remain alive. This enforcement principle permits the defensive team to make plays on other runners if possible. It is also consistent with other enforcement principles in the Official Baseball Rules in which you have a "delayed dead ball": 7.06(b ) - Obstruction with no play being made on the obstructed runner; and 7.08(h) - Runner declared out for passing a preceding runner.

[Richvee]

R1R2 0 outs. BR hits ball to outfield. As ball is thrown to 3rd to make a play on R1, 1st base coach pushes BR towards 2nd. R1 is retired at 3rd, R2 scores. At the time of the push, R2 was between 3rd and home.

OBR BR is out - the rest of the play stands.

I have a question. Is this a dead ball in OBR? Reading 7.09(h) I don't see any provision for letting the play continue. Is it simply....

PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.

If so, then in OBR, if the BR was pushed before the out was made @3rd, and R2 was between 3rd and home, do we only have one out and runners @ 2nd & 3rd?

This is how it's called in OBR:

JEA:

When a play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire should call "Time" and enforce the penalty. The runner is out and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference (assistance).

If no play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire shall signal that the runner is out and allow the ball to remain alive. This enforcement principle permits the defensive team to make plays on other runners if possible. It is also consistent with other enforcement principles in the Official Baseball Rules in which you have a "delayed dead ball": 7.06(b ) - Obstruction with no play being made on the obstructed runner; and 7.08(h) - Runner declared out for passing a preceding runner.

So essentially, JEA says it's called the same as FED. Though FED makes no reference to what to do if a play is being made on the assisted runner.

[noumpere]

should have specified "set" position. My mistake. References? NCAA?

(1) When taking the sign before assuming the set position, the pitcher must have the pitching hand at the side or behind the body.

PENALTY:

Warning on first offense. A balk shall be called on subsequent offenses.

[noumpere]

So essentially, JEA says it's called the same as FED. Though FED makes no reference to what to do if a play is being made on the assisted runner.

OBR and FED are not the same here. In FED, all runners not put out return to TOI but in OBR they are alowed to keep the advance.

[Jocko]

R2, R1, 1 out. B4 hit a high fly to second base which could have been caught by F4. Neither umpire declares "IFF" (verbal or mechanic). F4 unintentially drops the ball but picks it up and tags R1 who is off the base.

What's the call? Give references to the rule set you quote

[jjskitours]

Both B4 and R1 are out. I'm assuming F4 was able to initially touch the ball with ordinary effort. The Infield Fly rule is in effect despite the fact it was not called. NF Case Book 10.2.3G.

Under OBR Rule 2.00, the umpire's call or no call governs, so B4, presuming he reached 1st base is safe and R1 is out. There may be a better reference as I also seem to recall that the umpire

can negate a double play when it is caused by his failure to call an Infield Fly when it was appropriate to do so.

[noumpere]

I think thats the correct answer.

[Jocko]

Both B4 and R1 are out. I'm assuming F4 was able to initially touch the ball with ordinary effort. The Infield Fly rule is in effect despite the fact it was not called. NF Case Book 10.2.3G.

Under OBR Rule 2.00, the umpire's call or no call governs, so B4, presuming he reached 1st base is safe and R1 is out. There may be a better reference as I also seem to recall that the umpire

can negate a double play when it is caused by his failure to call an Infield Fly when it was appropriate to do so.

I have not checked NCAA or OBR, but in fed, the situation decides IFF, not the call. So, whether called or not, B4 is out and R1 is out.

**Extra Credit**

Considering Fed rules in the above situation, if R3 scores before R1 is tagged out, does the run count? Why or why not?

[Richvee]

No run. Batter/runner never reached 1st base...

changed my mind...batter/runner is the 2nd out on the IFF, so the tag of R1 happens after R3 crossed the plate, the run scores.

Edited December 4, 2012 by Richvee