Right or wrong call?

First of all, this call meant nothing and had no impact on the game in this situation. I'm just curious if it was correct or not since I had never seen it happen, not like this anyway, and I knew I could get an answer here. Here is the play the best I can describe.

The ball is pitched (runner on 2nd) and hits the back corner of the plate and the catcher drops to block it. The ball bounces over the catcher and hits the umpire. The catcher pops up to retrieve the ball, but she doesn't see it nor does most of the parents outside the fence (not me anyway). The runner on 2nd has taken her lead of course. Everyone then realizes that the ball had actually been caught by the umpire, under his face guard and was kind of trapped under there for a second or so. He hands the ball back to the catcher, she laughs and he laughs. The runner on second never tried to advance and walked back to 2nd. At this time, the field umpire calls a dead ball and gives the runner 3rd base.

No complaints were made and like I said, it meant nothing but I was just curious if it was the correct call. Probably so I guess, but odd nonetheless. If it was correct, I would hate to see a tying or winning run score from 3rd on this type of play.

 

Why would the girl on 2nd get 3rd base??

 

The ball stuck in the umpire's equipment is like a ball thrown into dead ball territory.

 

pitch ball vs. thrown ball

A pitched ball that gets lodged in an umpire's equipment is a one base award to all runners. If it is ball 4 the batter is only awarded first base, and if it is strike three the rules do not specifically cover so, the umpires have final decision as to whether the batter gets first base or is out on strikes as there is no specific rule for an uncaught third strike that gets lodged or goes out of play.

A thrown ball that gets lodged in an umpire's equipment is a two base award to all runners.

But I get what you mean, just thought I would comment for clarity

 

Actually, the dropped third strike rules apply. If first base was occupied with less than two outs at the time of the pitch, the batter is out and cannot advance. If first base unoccupied, or with two outs, then the batter becomes a batter-runner that has not been put out, and would be awarded first base on a blocked ball.

 

Whoops...What rules were you playing under?

I should have asked what rule set before I responded.



In NFHS or HS rule 8-4-3l says that if a ball gets lodged in an umpire's gear or clothing or an offensive player's clothing the ball is dead and the umpire awards the bases in the umpire's judgement they would have reached.

So, if you were playing NFHS the call should be runners who attempted to advance get that base and runners who didn't stay put.

The rule that specifically states the ball four clause is rule 8-4-3c which says when a wild pitch or passed ball gets lodged in or goes under, over or through the backstop. Penalty: all runners are awarded one base and the batter is awarded first base only on the fourth ball.

 

Most rule sets say that if a pitched ball becomes blocked or goes out of play all runners are awarded one base and the batter is award first if its the fourth ball.

They specifically address ball four, but do not address the uncaught third strike.

So, since this is not specifically addressed the umpires have to render a ruling and they either believe the rules allow the award or use common sense and fair play to award the batter first on this type of action.

 

Would have to agree with AltUmpSteve (as usual), if 1B is occupied with less than two outs, the batter was out with the strike and could not be awarded a base on the blocked ball.

 

I would say that everyone agrees that with less then 2 outs and 1st base occupied the batter would be out on strikes if the third strike is uncaught. This is covered by the book.

What isn't covered is when an uncaught third strike goes out of play when there are 2 outs or 1st base is unoccupied.

I agree that the batter should get first if the uncaught third strike rule is in effect, but it is not specifically covered by the book so ultimately the umpire may award the b-r first or call the b-r out.

 

While the totality of this situation isn't spelled out in black and white...

You have a batter who became a batter-runner the moment the third strike touched the ground. I can think of absolutely no justification anywhere in the rulebook for calling the B-R out unless she does something that would cause her to be out (enters the dugout, etc.). The fact that the ball went out of play just means she can't be played on. It isn't her fault that the defense allowed the ball to go out of play.