Umpires Need help on a call

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This one came up at our umpires association meeting last week in discussing the OHSAA/NFHS rules. Runners on first and second. An illegal pitch is called (delayed dead ball signal given). Batter hits the ball in fair territory and successfully reaches first. Coach knows that an illegal pitch was called so he sends all of the runners like a last batter situation in t-ball. My opinion along with several others was that the coach still has the option of accepting the play or the result of the enforcement of the penalty for the illegal pitch. Others thought that the runners were just protected for one base and advancement beyond the one base that they would be awarded resulted in the runner being in jeopardy to be put out, in effect nullifying the ability of the coach to accept the play or the penalty for the illegal pitch. Some others thought a dead ball should be called after the batter reaches first. A few thought the situation would never occur because the girls wouldn't run into an obvious out even if the coach was yelling to run.

 

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I would agree with your opinion, Tom. Under NFHS/high school rules, on an illegal pitch that is batted into play (or, on any illegal pitch where the batter becomes a batter-runner, which could be on an uncaught third strike or ball four) the offensive coach ALWAYS has the option of accepting the results of the play or enforcing the illegal pitch penalty.

This is a major difference between NFHS and ASA/NSA/NCAA rules and that is probably why there is some confusion.

In high school, the coach always gets the option, no matter how far the runners advanced. In ASA and others, if the batter safely advances to first base AND all other runners safely advance at least one base, the illegal pitch is cancelled. If that happens in an ASA game, the offensive coach loses the option to take the play or the penalty.

It's just one more of the many rule differences that can drive an umpire crazy!

Calling a dead ball when the batter reaches first base isn't a good call under either rule set. In both, at that point runners can still advance and the defense can still make plays. If you call a dead ball then, you are prematurely killing the play before it can run to its natural conclusion.

 

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I believe what you are looking for is in the NFHS 2009 Softball Rulebook on page 48 in the Delayed Dead Ball Section:

1. Illegal Pitch Released......The pitch is ruled a ball and base runners are awarded one base if the ball is not hit or batter becomes a base-runner Otherwise if the ball is hit, team at bat has choice of accepting the play or penalty............ 6-1-1,2,3,4, Pen.


See Page 53 EXCEPTION: If the pitcher completes the delivery of the ball to the batter and the batter hits the ball fair or foul, or becomes a base-runner, the coach of the team at bat shall have the option of the result of the play or the penalty for an illegal pitch. A delayed dead ball signal will be given by the umpire by extending the left arm horizontally.

NOTE: An illegal pitch shall be called immediately by the plate or base umpire when it becomes illegal. Depending on the infraction, a delayed dead ball signal may be given. If called by the plate umpire, it shall be called in a voice so that the catcher and the batter will hear it. If called by the base umpire, It shall be called so that the nearest fielder shall hear it. Failure of players to hear the call shall not void the call.

Therefore the effects of the play would not be nullify the coaches ability to accept the play or the penalty. Why would a "Dead Ball" be called as stated by some after the batter reaches first? The ball was not hit into Dead Ball Territory, it was hit fair!

i.e.
During game play a coach may, or may not have heard, or noticed the Delayed Dead Ball Signal, either way the coach and may have only seen the batter hit the ball. Upon seeing the ball being hit, it would be a natural reaction for a coach to send all base-runners. That is why it is up to us (umpires) to go the the offended team and ask the coach, do you wish to accept the play or the penalty?

FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

 

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So heads-up runners/coaches would have the base runners advance more than one base at the risk of being out knowing that they would be awarded the base anyway if they are not safe. Runners also have the advantage because the defense could be distracted by the illegal pitch call.

 

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So heads-up runners/coaches would have the base runners advance more than one base at the risk of being out knowing that they would be awarded the base anyway if they are not safe. Runners also have the advantage because the defense could be distracted by the illegal pitch call.

NFHS 6-1 . . .Penalty: (Arts. 2,3,4) Illegal Pitch. The ball is dead at the end of playing action, if the ball is pitched. A ball is called on the batter, and base-runners are awarded one base without liability to be put out.

NFHS 6-2-3 . . . Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, she has 20 seconds to release the pitch.
Penalty: (Art. 3) The batter is awared a ball. Theres is no base awarded for the 20 second violation.

The coach may send their runners more then one base, home if he/she wants. But! I guarantee the runners will be awarded, only one base from the time of the pitch and no extra's.

The defense could be distracted by the illegal pitch call. The umpires make the call both visual and vocal, but only in a voice loud enough so it can be heard by either the catcher, batter, or the nearest fielders. We don't yell it out for the purpose of distracting anyone.

FASTPITCH! Anything else, And your playing to SLOW!

 

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Thanks everyone. I'm going to forward these responses to our association secretary.

 

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If you're trying to convince other's that this is the correct ruling in high school ball, you might need more ammunition than "some guy on the internet said so"!

Refer the doubters to the 2009 NFHS Case Book plays 6.2.2C and 6.2.2D. Those rulings cover this exaxctly and are straight from the NFHS rule interpreters.


6.2.2 SITUATION C: (F.P.) R1 is on second base. B2 hits an illegal pitch and reaches first base safely. R1 (a) is thrown out at third base, or (b) is thrown out at home, or (c) is safe at third base. RULING: In (a), (b) and (c), the coach of the team at bat has the option of the play or the penalty for an illegal pitch.

6.2.2 SITUATION D: (F.P.) With R1 on third and R2 on first, B3 hits an illegal pitch to deep left-center field. R1 scores, R2 reaches third and B3 stops at first. RULING: Even though B3 reached first base safely and R1 and R2 advanced at least one base, the coach of the team at bat has the option of the play or the penalty since B3 hit an illegal pitch. (6-2-2 Penalty Exception).​

 

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Actually Brettman, several of us pulled out the case book with those examples so maybe some guy on the internet said so will work better. LOL