pitchers plate

[Guest john]

batter hits a sharp line drive that hits the pitchers plate (without hitting the ground) and bounces straight up in the air. Enough time for the second basemen

to catch it. Is the batter out ( as if it were a routine line drive) or does the second basemen need to throw to first to get the batter out?

Does the pitchers plate have different rules than the other bases? Is there such a term as the pitchers plate being neutral in this circumstance?

 

[maven]

It doesn't matter whether it touched the ground. As it touched the rubber, it no longer satisfies the definition of "in flight," so cannot be caught for an out.

"IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder."

A batted ball that strikes a base in flight and caroms into the air cannot be caught for an out either.

[maven]

1 hour ago, Man_In_Black said:

Of course it doesn't matter.

Then why mention it?

1 hour ago, Man_In_Black said:

I was simply trying to illustrate to the OP the enormous $#itstorm potential on any play like this if there were such a rule as he described it.

Why not just answer the question?

[Man_In_Black]

9 minutes ago, Senor Azul said:

From the OBR Definitions of Terms:

 

FOUL BALL (Comment):  A batted ball not touched by a fielder, which hits the pitcher’s rubber and rebounds into foul territory, between home and first, or between home and third base is a foul ball.

 

It is the same ruling in NCAA and Federation rules also.

 

And this pertains to the original question how?

[UmpJeff]

Did somebody pee-pee on your Cheerios, MIB???

[Man_In_Black]

Close...my Cap'n Crunch.

Left an awful aftertaste as well. Still tryin' to find who's responsible.

[Guest John]

To those that responded I say thank you. I am a first year umpire and a coach asked me this question. I especially like the part where by hitting the rubber

(or any object for that matter ) that it no longer is a ball in flight thus not a catch and a simple throw to first is required. This was my conclusion before I posted and

I thought this was a good forum to get a better answer and it was never any intention to create confusion. Just a question I wanted a better and more definitive answer to.

rubber = ground.          My take as well.     

Cheers

John

[Man_In_Black]

31 minutes ago, maven said:

It doesn't matter whether it touched the ground. As it touched the rubber, it no longer satisfies the definition of "in flight," so cannot be caught for an out.

Of course it doesn't matter. I was simply trying to illustrate to the OP the enormous $#itstorm potential on any play like this if there were such a rule as he described it. Rules exist to prevent confusion, not contribute to it.

31 minutes ago, maven said:

A batted ball that strikes a base in flight and caroms into the air cannot be caught for an out either.

Right. I was going to use the example of a ball being chopped off the plate and "caught" by the catcher in fair territory. Everyone knows he's gotta throw the ball to first to record the out. Why would or should it be any different for the pitching rubber? I was just too lazy to write it at the time.

[Man_In_Black]

4 minutes ago, maven said:

Why not just answer the question?

I did. At the end there.

Sorry if you were offended by my asking a question first to illustrate how problematic such a rule would be if it indeed existed.

Sometimes it's helpful to know why something is (or isn't) a rule, not just that it's a rule. Just like the infield fly or the uncaught third strike. Knowing why they were implemented provides a better understanding of the rules themselves. Wouldn't you agree?

 

[Senor Azul]

From the OBR Definitions of Terms:

FOUL BALL (Comment):  A batted ball not touched by a fielder, which hits the pitcher’s rubber and rebounds into foul territory, between home and first, or between home and third base is a foul ball.

It is the same ruling in NCAA and Federation rules also.

[Man_In_Black]

Question for you:

Do you honestly believe that anyone (umpire, infielder, base coach, etc) could, with 100% certainty, determine that a sharply hit ball back to the mound that deflects off the rubber at no time touched any part of the surrounding dirt beforehand? In real time? Every time?

If your answer to my question is "no", then you've already found the answer to yours.

Short answer: Rubber = ground.