9U - On-deck batter "looks like a baserunner"

[Justin]

9U travel tournament. OBR with local modifications for safety and 60’ diamond.

R1, R2, outs don’t matter. Batter hits a clean single to the outfield, scoring R2 and moving R1 to 3B. As the ball is being returned to the pitcher, the on-deck batter runs to the plate to pick up the bat. Because the offensive team was in the 3B dugout, the pitcher reads this R1 trying to score from 3B and throws home. F2 thinks play has relaxed, is not paying attention, and gets drilled in the midsection with the ball.

I killed the play immediately and sent BR back to 1B (he ran to 2B on the throw home and resulting mayhem). Defensive coach wanted an out for the on-deck batter “looking like a baserunner,” but I told him I couldn’t think of any rule that would support an out here.

Looking forward to the discussion on this one – interested to see if an out is justified.

[VolUmp]

1 hour ago, Justin said:

Looking forward to the discussion on this one – interested to see if an out is justified.

Short Answer:  No

Long Answer:  Hell No

I don't mind how you handled it, but I would have let the play stand including the advance of R1.

[Replacematt]

2 hours ago, Justin said:

9U travel tournament. OBR with local modifications for safety and 60’ diamond.

R1, R2, outs don’t matter. Batter hits a clean single to the outfield, scoring R2 and moving R1 to 3B. As the ball is being returned to the pitcher, the on-deck batter runs to the plate to pick up the bat. Because the offensive team was in the 3B dugout, the pitcher reads this R1 trying to score from 3B and throws home. F2 thinks play has relaxed, is not paying attention, and gets drilled in the midsection with the ball.

I killed the play immediately and sent BR back to 1B (he ran to 2B on the throw home and resulting mayhem). Defensive coach wanted an out for the on-deck batter “looking like a baserunner,” but I told him I couldn’t think of any rule that would support an out here.

Looking forward to the discussion on this one – interested to see if an out is justified.

No out and you shouldn't have killed it. This is where they learn how to play.

[Mudisfun]

First thing wrong with this is 9U travel ball... 

The on deck batter would be a person authorized to be on the field. Also with the ball going back to F1 the on deck batter, with play relaxed is really more of the 'next batter' moving to his position to bat. Nothing here other than the defensive team needs to learn... you have to have someone new come to the box if you want the game to continue.

Moving the runner back was a teachable moment. No way to get an out although I would most likely not have returned the runner but that would all depend on the intents of a summer league travel team... more informative/training versus competitive.

[VolUmp]

15 hours ago, Justin said:

Defensive coach wanted an out for the on-deck batter “looking like a base runner,”

This is pathetic.

Worse than,

— "Can he wear that batting glove under his glove while he pitches?

— "Can he play in that jersey?  It doesn't match the rest of the team."

— "Appeal the home run hitter missed 1B."

— "That was Malicious Contact — my SS fell down when they collided."

[udbrky]

Was it Adrian Beltre's son?