ACCIDENTAL ACTIONS
QUESTIONS: In high school, baseball and softball, runner on third base; batter takes a pitch for strike two. In returning pitched ball, catcher’s throw contacts batter’s bat while batter is standing in box. Runner on first base has a lead but is not attempting to steal. Live or dead ball? Is this batter’s interference?
ANSWER: Ball remains live and in play. Ball / bat contact is deemed incidental without any intentional interference by batter. (BB- Rule 7, Sec. 3, Art. 5 and Rule 5-1-1) (SB- Rule 7, Sec. 4, Art. 4).
QUESTION: Runners on second and first attempt a double steal. Catcher drops the pitch in dirt, immediately retrieves ball and throws ball to third. The throw hits the batter standing still in the batter’s box. Ball deflects off batter and goes into dugout. Live or dead ball? Batter’s interference?
ANSWER: Live ball play until ball goes into dead ball territory. Runners are awarded two bases; hence, both runner score. As long as batter did not deliberately interfere with throw, interference is not called. Batter is not required to vacate space in this play; he/ she must vacate during a possible congested play at the plate. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3 c )(SB- Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 3 f; two bases from point of release).