OVERTHROWS
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, batter grounds to shortstop who misplays batted ball then gains possession and throws ball into dead ball territory. Batter-runner touched first base prior to overthrow. Umpire awards batter-runner two bases from time of pitch (second base) as it was the initial throw by an infielder. Correct call?
ANSWER: In both sports, the batter-runner gains two bases on the overthrow. In baseball only, batter-runner advances to third base because he touched first base prior to the shortstop’s release of the ball. (BB- Rule 8, Sec.3, Art. 5). In softball, batter-runner also gains third base as awards are governed by runner’s position at the time the ball left the fielder’s hand (SB – Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 3, f).
QUESTION: Catcher tries to pick off runner at first base as the throw hits runner and ball goes into dead ball area. Does the runner gain a one or two base award?
ANSWER: In both sports, runner gains a (2) base award; hence, runner advances to third base. (BB- award is from time of pitch; Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3, c). (SB- award is from time of throw; Rule 8-4-3, f).