When does a ball become dead?

[James88]

Scenario:

Runner on second breaks on the pitch to steal third.  Pitch bounces, rolls up catcher, WAYYYYYY up in the air, and over the backstop.

Does the ball become dead when it breaks the imaginary vertical plane above the backstop or when it hits the ground in dead ball territory?  

The main reason I ask is due to the awarding of the base to the runner breaking for third.  He did not reach third before the ball crossed the imaginary plane above the backstop but did before it hit the ground in dead ball territory.

Thanks.

[basejester]

It doesn't really matter.  The award is from the runner's position at the time of the pitch, which is second base.

 

[James88]

Good point on the time of the pitch.  Thanks.

This site is a great resource.

 

[johnnyg08]

Other's nailed it.  Nice job guys.

[noumpere]

To answer the OP -- the ball is dead when it touches something outside the playing field.  Doesn't matter in the OP, but might in other circumstances.

[James88]

To answer the OP -- the ball is dead when it touches something outside the playing field.  Doesn't matter in the OP, but might in other circumstances.

Thanks noumpere.  Clears up another question I had.

[maven]

It doesn't really matter.  The award is from the runner's position at the time of the pitch, which is second base.

 

Exactly: awards for the ball going out of play are either TOP or TOT, never TTBGOOP.