U2 hit award

[The Ripper]

Saw this play and had a question. The 2nd clip shows U2 getting hit with a batted ball in front of infielders, obviously it is a dead ball because U2 was in front of fielders. On the broadcast it was mentioned that R2 (at the time of the pitch) was awarded 3rd base and BR 1st. I was confused at why R2 was awarded 3rd and why he was not returned to 2nd? My understanding is that when a ball hits a umpire in front of the fielders, that the BR is awarded 1st base and that all other runners would return to the bases they occupied at the time of pitch, unless forced to advance by the BR being awarded 1st.

 

 

[Jimurray]

5 hours ago, The Ripper said:

Saw this play and had a question. The 2nd clip shows U2 getting hit with a batted ball in front of infielders, obviously it is a dead ball because U2 was in front of fielders. On the broadcast it was mentioned that R2 (at the time of the pitch) was awarded 3rd base and BR 1st. I was confused at why R2 was awarded 3rd and why he was not returned to 2nd? My understanding is that when a ball hits a umpire in front of the fielders, that the BR is awarded 1st base and that all other runners would return to the bases they occupied at the time of pitch, unless forced to advance by the BR being awarded 1st.

 

 

You are correct. They kicked it. Small screen I can’t see no stop. Also U2 killed the first balk while the ball was in play. Didn’t matter when batter was put out at 1B. But could have mattered and adds to argument that FED is correct in keeping dead ball balks. 

[The Man in Blue]

Making me cry man . . . not because U2 was having a rough night, but it was the farewell season of my adopted M Braves.

Is FED correct in keeping dead ball balks?  It depends on what you want the outcome to be.  If the point is penalize illegal play, yes.  If the point is to nullify an illegal play, no. 

[834k3r]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

Is FED correct in keeping dead ball balks?

C'mon TMiB. We all know FED keeps dead ball balks because we can't adjudicate them properly.

[grayhawk]

3 hours ago, Jimurray said:

You are correct. They kicked it. Small screen I can’t see no stop. Also U2 killed the first balk while the ball was in play. Didn’t matter when batter was put out at 1B. But could have mattered and adds to argument that FED is correct in keeping dead ball balks. 

First balk was borderline but defensible. I have a discernible stop on the second one.

And yes, in Fed, balks should absolutely be immediately dead and this video is Exhibit 197,831 for why. Expecting thousands of HS umpires to correctly administer live ball balks is unrealistic. Experienced varsity umpires will mess these up, but then asking first year, often solo umpires working frosh or JV games to get them right?

[Richvee]

This is a 4 man minor league crew kicking an umpire interference base award? wow. 

[jimurrayalterego]

35 minutes ago, Richvee said:

This is a 4 man minor league crew kicking an umpire interference base award? wow. 

3 man, but yes, crew and defensive manager, wow

[grayhawk]

3 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

3 man, but yes, crew and defensive manager, wow

.

[TheLovejoy]

On 12/24/2025 at 11:39 AM, grayhawk said:

First balk was borderline but defensible. I have a discernible stop on the second one.

And yes, in Fed, balks should absolutely be immediately dead and this video is Exhibit 197,831 for why. Expecting thousands of HS umpires to correctly administer live ball balks is unrealistic. Experienced varsity umpires will mess these up, but then asking first year, often solo umpires working frosh or JV games to get them right?

  I do think it should be a state by state ruling. Here where I'm from, and a few surrounding states, American Legion Baseball is much, MUCH bigger than High School. So our high school season is a couple of months during the spring, then most of the 'non-rec' players play American Legion for their entire summer/4 months. Some only play American Legion, and don't even play High School (unsanctioned, lower quality by far).  Some do go play Prep/Perfect Game travel ball. But in this state, our most senior guys all work the big American Legion games all summer long, and only get a dabble in High School games. 
  It would be better here if they were delayed, because all of the umpires here use OBR as our primary source of reference, and people struggle through FED rules here.

[The Man in Blue]

On 12/24/2025 at 12:36 PM, 834k3r said:

C'mon TMiB. We all know FED keeps dead ball balks because we can't adjudicate them properly.

Oh, we know the reason . . . that doesn't make it right.  

[concertman1971]

When U2 has a hit and gets an award, I believe they are awarded a Grammy

 

I will see myself out. 

[834k3r]

On 1/3/2026 at 6:43 PM, concertman1971 said:

When U2 has a hit and gets an award, I believe they are awarded a Grammy

 

I will see myself out. 

[beerguy55]

On 12/24/2025 at 12:04 PM, Richvee said:

This is a 4 man minor league crew kicking an umpire interference base award? wow. 

 

On 12/24/2025 at 12:40 PM, jimurrayalterego said:

3 man, but yes, crew and defensive manager, wow

Speculating of course - in your opinion is this about making a mistake on the rule, or simply forgetting where R2 started?

 

There is another possibility though - I don't see any umpire pointing to where R2 should go.  Maybe they did send him back to second (subtly? quietly?) but he just went to third base...and defense didn't notice.  Is this still up to the crew to make sure he's at second before making the ball live again?

[Velho]

4 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

Maybe they did send him back to second (subtly? quietly?) but he just went to third base...and defense didn't notice.  Is this still up to the crew to make sure he's at second before making the ball live again?

Yes 

[Richvee]

On 1/13/2026 at 10:01 AM, beerguy55 said:

Speculating of course - in your opinion is this about making a mistake on the rule, or simply forgetting where R2 started?

That may be just as bad as kicking the rule. 

[beerguy55]

On 1/14/2026 at 9:06 PM, Richvee said:

On 1/13/2026 at 8:01 AM, beerguy55 said:

Speculating of course - in your opinion is this about making a mistake on the rule, or simply forgetting where R2 started?

That may be just as bad as kicking the rule. 

Not disputing that...but it does change the teachable moment in how it is corrected.

Likewise if it's a third option where they just didn't notice he hadn't returned to the right base.

 

The question is how did it happen...not how stupid it was to allow it to happen.