Expert: Rick Bundy - 6/26/2010

Question
Dear Sir, My question is in Little League is the ball dead to the batter on ball four. Meaning the batter receiving the walk can only advance to first. The other runners on base I know can advance.

Answer
 Dennis:  Thank you for your question.

The ball would not be dead, unless a dead ball were called by the umpire for some reason.  The base on balls would not be a reason.  

Receiving four balls in the at bat would not create a dead ball situation.  The batter/runner would be able to attempt to continue past first, unless something occurred whereby a dead ball was called.

The Little League rule book only shows players, who in their time at bat, receive 4 pitches thrown outside the strike zone.  

No mention about Intentional base on balls.  In the National Federation rules, the ball is declared dead before an intentional BOB is awarded.  In that case, the batter/runner could only go to first base, advancement possible only after "play" is resumed.

Yours in baseball,

Rick