NSA Rule Interpretation/Application

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NSA tournament. ?Runner on second, wild pitch hits plate, then hits catcher, then goes over the backstop. ?Runner on second is only awarded third. ?Umpire explains that since it was a "Pitched" ball, then only one base is awarded.

later in game, runner on first, wild pitch hits dirt in front of plate, hits catchers mitt, then rolls out of play into a dugout. ?Runner only awarded second base. Umpires give the same explaination.

NSA rule for a Pitched ball out of play is:

h. When any pitched ball goes [highlight]directly[/highlight] out of play (through, over, under fence/backstop).
EFFECT: The ball is dead and all runners advance one base from the time of the pitch.

My understanding of "directly" is that the pitcher throws a pitch that, without hitting any player, umpire, or equipment, goes out of play (She throws it over the backstop or the ball hits the front lip of the plate and takes off over the backstop).
My contention is that in the above situations, the ball indirectly went out of play after hitting the catcher. ?The defense had an opportunity to field the pitch but could not. ?Why penalize the offense?

I believe that this is the rule that should be applyed in this situation:

e. When the ball is in play and is overthrown (beyond the established
boundary lines), or is blocked.
EFFECT: Awarded bases shall be determined by the position of the baserunner(s) at the time of the infraction. All base runners will be allowed to advance one (1) base on a pitched ball that goes directly out of play.
NOTE: For offensive equipment causing a blocked ball, the runner closest to home plate will be declared out and all other runners must return to the last base touched when the ball becomes blocked.
[highlight]1. The ball is dead. In all cases where a thrown ball goes into the spectators seats, goes over, through, or under any fence surrounding the playing field. Or hits any person or object not engaged in the game, goes into the players? benches, including bats lying near benches, whether the ball rebounds onto the playing field or not; or remains in the meshes of any wire screen, each and every baserunnner shall be awarded two (2) bases.[/highlight]

What is the concensus?

 

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I believe that a pitched ball is not the same as a thrown ball. If that is so, then the rule makes sense

 

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I believe the umpires had it right. The catcher did not throw the ball out of play. Since the catcher never caught it the ball going out of play was a continuation of the pitch.

 

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We made the initial "Are you sure of that" request of the umpire and let it be after that. After the game, I was talking to the UIC and he sees our point of view. He is checking with the State UIC and will get back with me tomorrow. In the big picture, this is a small tic turd. We are not going to fall on our swords over this but it does make great conversation.

 

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William,

There are different penalties applied when a ball goes out-of-play, which depend on the ball being either a pitched ball (thrown by the pitcher), a thrown ball (by a fielder) and even for a batted ball by the batter.

One of the rules you quote applies to a pitched ball, the other a thrown ball by a defensive fielder.

These base awards are fairly universal among all softball rule sets: A pitch going out-of-play is a one base award. A throw by a fielder is two bases.

On a pitch going out-of-play, your definition of "direct" does not apply. The pitch may bounce off the ground, the catcher, the umpire or any fences and, if it goes out, the same same one-base penalty applies.

Going by your description, I would say that the umpire called this correctly, and gave the correct explanation, two times.

I can't believe that this basic rule would make the Umpire-in-Chief even think twice. ?

 

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Thanks bretman. At times, I think I'm turning into a lawyer, wrangling over every word. I'm reading too much into it. The UIC at our tournament got with me today and told me the same thing you did.

This weekend at the Delaware Jug Tournament, the entire umpiring crew was by far the best group of umpires, from top to bottom, that I have seen work a tournament. They were very professional, very knowledgable, and very approachable. I hope all of our tournaments this year have this crew.