Proper Ruling

Good call

Looks like the late night two are becoming friends. Thanks CF, the respect is mutual. Hint: think about whats wishy washy about the 3 ball/walk home. I know you will figure it out. Peace.

 

My take...

First off I don't know where to find this to substantiate my take, but since it was put out as a teaser, I've thought a little about it. Here goes...

The batter messed up by dropping her bat, should have tossed it over toward the dugout instead. She could be called out on equipment obstruction/interference due to a live play at home when the piece of equipment in question (her bat) did not put the ball in play. If this were called then the batter would be called out, and all base runners would have to return, no run scores.

May seem a little lame, but think of it this way, what about with runner on third and a passed ball and runner is coming home, and batter drops her bat on the plate, what would you think about it then.

May seem out there, but that's my stab at it.

 

Answer given by the brass

The ruling that was explained to me. Deception, if an ump thinks that there was intent to deceive the defense, then the result is a dead ball, batter is out, and runners return to the original base. If the ump has no reason to ecpect deception, the play stands. Stolen bases by the runners and batter returns to the plate for 3-2 count.

 

Too much judgement...

That would be hard to swallow to believe that an ump could know what a 17 year old girl was really thinking.

 

Smoking Gun

I was looking for the smoking gun. I was lookin for clues as you gave the scenario, and I felt that the dropped bat was it. Oh well, good teaser.

 

I am an Umpire. If the count is 2-2 and ball 3 is thrown and all the runners advance, you let the play go until play is stopped. Once play is stopped then you call the batter back to the box and annoucne the count as 3-2 (full count). The runners advance at their own risk if they tag a runner than they are out. If it works, then the coach needs to be paying more attention to the game.

 

OK

I'm cool with your post. I'm just the messenger here. This play actually occurred in one of our games. Believe me, this coach had nothing to do with setting it up. The player on 3rd just responded to the batter thinking that she had been walked. As for deception, I guess I can see how that rule could apply. Defintely tough to prove intent to deceive. How would you rule on this, runner tries to steal 1st to 2nd, SS fakes a tag, deception? Who might be out in this case?

 

SS Should be Ejected

In the situation you just described any fake tag is considered obstruction and runners are awarded bases they would have reached had there been no obstruction. Also any time there is a fake tag according to the rule book there is also an ejection.

 

If SS fakes a tag, obv. she doesn't have the ball so the runner would be safe. If the SS blocks the bag and doesn't allow the runner a direct path to 2nd without the ball then recieves the ball and tags her out before the runner reaches 2nd, then you have obstruction. The runner will be called safe.

 

You would not eject a player simply on a fake tag.