BASE AWARDS
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, runners on third and second; one out; batter grounds to pitcher who attempts to get runner at third base but overthrows ball into dead ball territory. Is award one base from the infield and two from the outfield? Do all runners get a two base award including the batter-runner?
ANSWER: All runners including batter gain two base awards; hence, both runners score and batter goes to second. (BB only- on first play by an infielder, two base award is from position of runners at time of pitch. Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3,c) (SB only- two base is from position of runners when thrown ball left fielder’s hands. Rule 8-4-3,f).
QUESTION: In both sports, batter hits a deep fair fly ball to right field which touches the top of the fence, contacts fielder’s glove then goes over fence in fair territory. Home run or double?
ANSWER: Ground rule double is awarded to batter because ball did not go over fence in flight. When batted ball ricocheted off fence, touching fielder / glove, this subsequent action caused ball to go over fence, not in flight; hence, two base award from time of pitch.(BB- Rule 8-3-3; SB Rule 8-4-3,h).
