Interesting play - ball deflected off base

[GiantEngineer]

Saw this play being discussed online and wanted an actual interpretation. I have no additional details, just this general description.

Please provide OBR and NFHS 

Runner on third. Batted ball hits third base, ball bounces off third base and hits the runner in fair territory. The ball somehow hit the corner of the base and bounced back toward home plate. Runner was off of third base in fair territory when they were hit. 

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, GiantEngineer said:

Saw this play being discussed online and wanted an actual interpretation. I have no additional details, just this general description.

Please provide OBR and NFHS 

Runner on third. Batted ball hits third base, ball bounces off third base and hits the runner in fair territory. The ball somehow hit the corner of the base and bounced back toward home plate. Runner was off of third base in fair territory when they were hit. 

Why do you need an interp? The rules cover it. 

[GiantEngineer]

I was pretty sure but wanted to make sure my understanding of the rule was correct. My understanding is that hitting the base doesn't matter. 

[grayhawk]

46 minutes ago, GiantEngineer said:

I was pretty sure but wanted to make sure my understanding of the rule was correct. My understanding is that hitting the base doesn't matter. 

It would if the runner was in foul territory where he's supposed to be.

[The Man in Blue]

On 7/24/2025 at 6:20 PM, grayhawk said:

It would if the runner was in foul territory where he's supposed to be.

“Supposed to be”?

 They can be anywhere they want to be, even if they have no good reason to be there.   
(Not shooting at you @grayhawk … shooting at that line of logic.)

[Velho]

12 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

“Supposed to be”?

Said with love and concern...

[grayhawk]

14 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

“Supposed to be”?

 They can be anywhere they want to be, even if they have no good reason to be there.   
(Not shooting at you @grayhawk … shooting at that line of logic.)

Supposed to be...from a coaching perspective, not an umpire or rules perspective. This is coached universally - take your lead in foul, return in fair.