Learned something

[default]

Bretman ... I know the runner has to be tagged out, but what if by some crazy chance the defense didn't do anything and both girls stayed at the base, and the ball was returned to the circle. Would you allow the pitcher to pitch the ball with 2 girls on the same base?

An interesting play...and one we probably won't see in our lifetimes. But it is a possibility and I have heard it discussed before. Apparently, someone else has too, because at least two sanctioning bodies have issued rulings on what to do!

The weird thing is that they are two completely different rulings. Since this play isn't specifically covered in detail by any one rule, it's not uncommon for the play to be interpreted in supplementary literature. For ASA and NFHS (high school) they have both covered this possibility in their case books, where they define, clarify and interpret different rules and rulings.

For NFHS, their case play says that if it becomes apparent that no further play is going to happen, the umpire should call time and declare the appropriate runner out (the one not entitled to occupy the base). So, in their case, if this played out you would essentially have an "automatic out"- an out without benefit of a play by the defense.

ASA is completely different. They tell the umpire to call time, then either move the trailing runner back one base, or the lead runner up one base, depending on if its a force situation or not.

If you play NSA or USSSA...you're on your own! I'm not even going to guess how they might rule this one!

 

[default]

The Fed ruling makes sense to me because it is the same as invoking LBR on the runner not entitled to the base. ASA seems to be penalizing the defense for not making a play on the runners.

 

[default]

The Fed ruling makes sense to me because it is the same as invoking LBR on the runner not entitled to the base. ASA seems to be penalizing the defense for not making a play on the runners.

Hmmm...maybe the defense SHOULD be penalized for not making the correct play on the runners. Seems pretty obvious that at least somebody should be tagged before returning the ball to the circle. I kind of like the ASA rule.

Like CoachTEA said in an earlier post. The girls should tag both of them and let the umpires figure it out. If they don't have the sense or the coach to instruct them to do at least that, maybe the batter should return to first and flash a great big blushing smile at the defense.