You Make the Call

Rule 10.05(a)(2) Comment: The official scorer shall credit a hit if the fielder attempting to handle the ball cannot make a play, even if such fielder deflects the ball from or cuts off another fielder who could have put out a runner.

 

1. Error on the pitcher if the in the scorer's judgement the ball should have been fielded cleanly (hit sharply doesn't mean it still wasn't a routine catch, but if it "ate him up" because it was a smash, then it would not be an error)

2. Hit if the in the scorer's judgement, the SS had no play at first after the deflection and it was not judged as an error on the pitcher

3. FC if in the scorer's judgement, the SS had a play at first that would have retired the runner, but chose to go to second and it was not judged an error on the pitcher

 

?

What constitutes an error? the fielder attempting to handle the ball cannot make a play still sounds more like an error than a hit to me.

 

sorry, I forgot to attach the rule for a hit:

(2) the batter reaches first base safely on a fair ball hit with such force, or so slowly, that any fielder attempting to make a play with the ball has no opportunity to do so;
Rule 10.05(a)(2) Comment: The official scorer shall credit a hit if the fielder attempting to handle the ball cannot make a play, even if such fielder deflects the ball from or cuts off another fielder who could have put out a runner.

Although there are some scenarios where this happens to position players, it also addresses the pitcher that has a ball bounce of his glove even if a position player was there to make the play had the ball not been deflected. I was trying to address the situation that PHS mentioned

 

Someone just got a new rule book!!!!!!

 

Becoming an umpire, buddy. I figured I'm already being yelled at at home. I might as well be getting paid for it.

 

Noooooooo! I can't yell at you. That will take all the fun out of the game if we have to be nice to the umpire. Well at least you are a pitchers Dad so we do expect a wide strike zone.

 

Whew....I just woke from a nightmare. I dreamt that I was an umpire....nah, not for me

 

funny you should bring this scenario to the attention of the board at this particular time.........

it just so happens that once upon a time, on this exact date, 39 years ago, when i was coaching third base for East Fredricksburgh State, Union City Community College League, Central Division III, Upstate Classification IAA, this very same situation happened to our team. We were the defending champs and had won 397 games in a row.

but on this particular night, we just didnt have it. we found ourselves down 7-5, bottom of the fourteenth, one out, man on third. Dave Zblonski golfs a 3-0 pitch down the third base line, a screamer. but the ball tipped off the third basemans glove and hit me square on the left cheek bone. it then glanced off his glove and hit the bill of my cap. the baserunner was confused. he broke for home, he then dove back to the bag. he broke for home again, he stopped, he dove back to the bag.

the ball soared high into the air, the runner broke for home again, then back to the bag.

finally, the ball landed in the third basemans glove. the runner broke for home again. the third baseman flung a desperation shot to first. the ball missed wide right and sailed into the dugout. the runner was safe at home. Zblonski was safe at first. i had a large knot on my cheek. we still trailed 7-6. Zblonski was awarded second on the errant throw. i had a large snot bubble and my eyes teared up real bad.

Zblonski cramped up. i threw up. the next two batters struck out.

our score book looked like a crossword puzzle. we lost.

i hope this helps a little bit.

 

....triple, and a ball touching or not touching the glove has no merit whatsoever.
Marlin