Baserunning Question

[default]

In a recent 12U league game playing Ohio High School rules I was stumped if the ump made the correct call or not. He was very convincing and believable, but I don't think I have ever run into this situation before. I'm not sure if he made the proper call or not after thinking it over many times.

Two outs, bases empty. Batter swings and misses, strike three. Ball goes through catcher to backstop. Batter starts running to first base. Catcher gets ball and throws toward first from the third base side of the plate. About two steps from first base the thrown ball hits runner in the lower leg area. Ump calls runner out for being hit with the ball while in the field of play.

She was running in line with the baseline, neither inside nor outside the line, pretty much straddling the line all the way down until she was hit by the throw.

Must the runner heading to first base be outside the foul line or risk being hit with a thrown ball and being called out? A right handed batter must start out in fair territory heading to first and she must be in fair territory to touch the base which is in fair territory also.

I've checked the rule book and I couldn't find anything specific in this area.

Any thoughts?

 

[default]

I would say out. She should be in the 3' running lane

 

[default]

My thoughts are the runner is out, because I believe she has to be completely outside the line - not straddling it. Home to first is unique, in that there is actually a runner's lane in foul territory. Yes, it's true righties must cross over to the runner's lane (lefties have an advantage) and also must step on the base (into fair territory).

 

[default]

Where was the first basemen set up? If the first basemen is set up on the orange bag the runner must switch to the white bag and therefore run in fair territory. If the first basemen is set up on the white bag the runner must run in foul territory.

 

[default]

I'd say since she was stradling the line and not completely in the runners lane than she would be out. The plate ump should have a pretty good view of the lane from behind the dish so there isn't much to argue. I believe it is about the only time you can be out from getting hit with a thrown ball...but I may be wrong.

 

[default]

Runner is out, if the runners foot touches the foul line when ball made contact she is out, it's that simple.

 

[default]

Maxxdad, if you looked and didn't find this...you didn't look hard enough! Look under rule 8, the section that defines when a batter-runner is out (section 2, I think- don't have book handy right now). There you will find reference to the three foot running lane rule.

In high school ball, a batter-runner is out of the lane if her entire foot is on the ground outside of the lane. If her foot is touching the line, she's stil considered to be inside the lane.

If the B/R is outside the lane, and this prevents the fielder at first base from taking the throw, then it is interference, dead ball and the B/R is out.

 

[default]

More to add! Sorry...trying to type this on an iPhone!

Question: Was a double first base in use? High school rules do not require one, but it is optional.

This could affect my answer. If a double base is not used, then a runner may exit the three foot running lane just to touch the base. Otherwise, you have a running lane that leads to nowhere!

You did say the runner was a couple of steps away from first- if she stepped out of the lane before reaching first, then she can be called out of the lane.

In answer to another post...if there was a double base, the fielder at first may NOT set up on the orange bag on this play. Post said that the throw was coming from the third base side of home plate. Fielder may set up on the orange bag ONLY if the throw is being made from the foul side of the first base foul line.

One more...anytime the fielder uses the orange bag, the runner may use EITHER base, not just the white one. On plays where the runner can legally use the white base, the three foot running lane "mirrors" to the other side of the foul line, in fair territory.

One more one more...the three foot running lane doesn't start until half-way to first base. A right-handed batter exiting the box has 30 feet to get over in the lane. If hit by a throw before reaching the lane, it's not interference.

 

[default]

Thanks for all the replies. Double base was in use and 1B was set up to accept the throw on the white bag.

Now convinced the ump made the proper call in this situation.

A little more coaching of the fine points of running to first is in order for these young ladies.

I'm sure I've seen at least a few times over the past couple years where the proper call was not made. Maybe thats why I was a little confused. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[default]

Bretman,

Rule 8 sec 2. You are correct. I did read it before posting. I'm not sure why it seemed not to relate to this situation. After rereading and some more thought it brings up another question though...

The rule states it is a judgement call to rule interference if the runner is outside of the 3 foot lane. So...if it was a bad throw by catcher and in the ump's judgement the play would not have been made regardless of the interference, should she still be called out? If she was inside the 3 foot lane while hit with the throw (or outside the 3 foot lane without interference being ruled), is she awarded the base and a dead ball? or does the ball remain live?

 

[default]

Good questions!

To be interfered with, the throw to first base must be a "quality throw". By quality throw, we mean one directed at the fielder receiving it and in her vicinity such that there is a reasonable expectation the throw could have been caught.

If the catcher sails the ball over the fielder's head and into right field, that is not a quality throw. A throw directed at the runner and away from the fielder, as in the catcher trying to "buy" an interference call, is not a quality throw.

Generally, anything in the fielder's direction that has a reasonable chance to be caught would be a quality throw. There is some judgment involved on that one. But if the runner is out of the lane, I would tend to give the defense the benefit of the doubt if the quality of the throw is borderline.

If the throw hits the runner inside the running lane, it is not interference. Live ball, play on, get what you get!

 

[default]

Thanks for the insight bretman. It's pretty amazing how the umpire made the proper call in this case in a split second. It's taken me a couple days to hash this one out. My hats off to umpires everywhere.