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Submitted by Bill Parks June 4, 2011
Your batter hits a drive down first base line, the first baseman fields it and steps on first base.Since the "Force" is no off, could the runner return to first base if were possible and be safe?
Ask the ump makes the call:
Great Question Bill
The Batter runner created the force on the runner at first base but since the firstbaseman elected to retire the batter runner first instaed of the lead runner the force play is removed. Most baserunners continue to second base knowing they must now be put out on a tag.Rule 7.08 e
(e) He or the next base is tagged before he touches the next base, after he has beenforced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a
runner. However, if afollowing runner is put out on a force play, the force is removed and the runner mustbe tagged to be put out. The force is
removed as soon as the runner touches the baseto which he is forced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns the base, therunner must be tagged to be put out. However, if the forced runner, after touchingthe next base, retreats for any reason towards the base he had
last occupied, the forceplay is reinstated, and he can again be put out if the defense tags the base to whichhe is forced;
Some more reading
http://books.google.com/books?id=2S4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=mickey+mantle+force+removed&source=bl&ots=IsHFFvWiUJ&sig=aRdqkeLjN-766OmswqbjVYB6W3Q&hl=en&ei=DujsTYPNL5TAsAOsv7TmDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=mickey%20mantle%20force%20removed&f=false
Ask the ump makes the call:
Great Question Bill
The Batter runner created the force on the runner at first base but since the firstbaseman elected to retire the batter runner first instaed of the lead runner the force play is removed. Most baserunners continue to second base knowing they must now be put out on a tag.Rule 7.08 e
(e) He or the next base is tagged before he touches the next base, after he has beenforced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a
runner. However, if afollowing runner is put out on a force play, the force is removed and the runner mustbe tagged to be put out. The force is
removed as soon as the runner touches the baseto which he is forced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns the base, therunner must be tagged to be put out. However, if the forced runner, after touchingthe next base, retreats for any reason towards the base he had
last occupied, the forceplay is reinstated, and he can again be put out if the defense tags the base to whichhe is forced;
Some more reading
http://books.google.com/books?id=2S4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=mickey+mantle+force+removed&source=bl&ots=IsHFFvWiUJ&sig=aRdqkeLjN-766OmswqbjVYB6W3Q&hl=en&ei=DujsTYPNL5TAsAOsv7TmDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=mickey%20mantle%20force%20removed&f=false
Submitted by Matt April 23 2011
Runner on first base, batter hits the ball to right field that bounces over the fence. Now there is a protective screen that extends from the bottom of the fence to about 15 feet above it to protect the fans on another field. So when the ball bounced over the fence it hit the protective screen and bounced back on our field. The right fielder threw it to the 2nd baseman who had no play on the runner from first who was scoring. The batter got a double. The home plate umpire did not immediately signal "ground rule double". After the play was over a fan said it should be a GR2B so the home plate ump asked the base ump if it hit the screen. The base ump said yes so they sent the runner that scored back to third. Now I mentioned that the umpire could allow the run to score if he believes it would have if not for the GR2B. The opposing coach disagreed with me. I later checked the rule book but could not find anything that mentions the umpire allowing an extra base if he sees fit. A google search does mention a couple of occurances of this happening but no rule for it.Can anybody tell me what rule that allows the umpire to award a runner from first to score on a GR2B? Thanks.
Ask the Ump makes the call:
No, because there is no such rule.
A ground rule double is rule 6.09e and 7.05f
7.05
Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance --
(f) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines;
6.09
The batter becomes a runner when --
(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases;
The rule is specific. The batter AND each runner get TWO bases. Period.
The only situations that allow umpires to award bases at their discretion are 3.15 and 7.06b
7.06
When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal "Obstruction."
(b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.
3.15
No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except players and coaches in uniform, managers, news photographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home club. In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the offensive team participating in the game, or a coach in the coach’s box, or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.
No, because there is no such rule.
A ground rule double is rule 6.09e and 7.05f
7.05
Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance --
(f) Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines;
6.09
The batter becomes a runner when --
(e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to advance two bases;
The rule is specific. The batter AND each runner get TWO bases. Period.
The only situations that allow umpires to award bases at their discretion are 3.15 and 7.06b
7.06
When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal "Obstruction."
(b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.
3.15
No person shall be allowed on the playing field during a game except players and coaches in uniform, managers, news photographers authorized by the home team, umpires, officers of the law in uniform and watchmen or other employees of the home club. In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the offensive team participating in the game, or a coach in the coach’s box, or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.
Submitted by Martin April 24 2011
Here's one that I have always wondered ask the Ump:
A batter swings at a ball hit in the dirt and actually connects for a hit. Is it a hit? Dead ball? What if the ball bounces off the player himself then he swings and connects? (And yes I am being serious , and not trying to be funny)
Ask The Ump makes the call:
A pitched ball is a pitched ball, it doesn't matter whether it crosses the plate on the ground or in the air. All rules that refer to a pitch apply to a pitch that bounces before it crosses the plate. It can't be a "called" strike, but it can be hit, it can be a swinging strike, or if it hits the batter, the batter is awarded first base.
A PITCH is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher.
Rule 2.00 (Pitch) Comment: All other deliveries of the ball by one player to another are thrown balls.
A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.
Rule 2.00 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 6.05(c) and 6.09(b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.
IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.
6.08
The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when --
(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit
A pitched ball is a pitched ball, it doesn't matter whether it crosses the plate on the ground or in the air. All rules that refer to a pitch apply to a pitch that bounces before it crosses the plate. It can't be a "called" strike, but it can be hit, it can be a swinging strike, or if it hits the batter, the batter is awarded first base.
A PITCH is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher.
Rule 2.00 (Pitch) Comment: All other deliveries of the ball by one player to another are thrown balls.
A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.
Rule 2.00 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 6.05(c) and 6.09(b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.
IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder.
6.08
The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when --
(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit
