Question: In high school baseball and softball, a very fast batter-runner hits a fair ball, which bounces over an outfield fence. At the time the ball goes out of play, he/she is between first and second. Is this a one or two base award? From time of pitch or time when ball became dead?
Answer: This is considered a ground rule double with all runners and batter gaining a two base award from time of pitch. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3(c); SB- Rule 8-4-3(h)
Question: Batter grounds a ball to shortstop, who bobbles the ball a few times and overthrows the ball into dead ball area near first base. The speedy batter-runner touched first base prior to the overthrow. How many bases are awarded to the batter (1 or 2). From time of pitch or time of throw?
Answer: Two base award from time of throw because batter reached first base “before” throw; hence, batter gains third base. (BB- Rule 8-3-5 and SB- Rule 8-4-3(f). Note: If batter “did not” reach first base prior to throw, (BB) awards two bases from time of pitch but (SB) still awards two bases from time of throw.