Question: In high school baseball and girls’ softball, batter hits a fair ground ball, which bounces off an infielder. The ball goes into dead ball territory. How many bases are awarded? (One or two?)
Answer: Batter is awarded two bases from time of pitch; hence, he/she gains second base. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3(c)-2: SB- Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 3(h))
Question: If two runners are between second and first and an overthrow from an outfielder becomes blocked or dead, how many bases are awarded the runners? (Two, one plus one, or one?)
Answer: Runners gain a two base award from the time of the throw; except, in a case with both runners between same bases, the lead runner gains the two base award (to third) while trail gains only second base because both runners cannot share the same award. (BB- Rule 8-3-3(c)-3; SB- Rule 8-4-3(f)- Pen.)