Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/29/2011

Question
Hello. I ran across an interesting/difficult play during my son's junior major game today. Here's the scenario:
1) Man on second, 1 out.
2) Batter takes full swing, barely hits ball just in front of home plate.
3) Catcher jumps on it and fires towards first base.
4) Base runner completely inside running lane.
5) Runner hit square in the back about 5 feet from first base.
6) Runner is able to continue across first base then falls to ground (to the left side of the bag) in pain.
7) Ball stayed in fair territory - pitcher grabbed ball and threw to first base, who tagged fallen runner.
8) Runner called out.

I know there is no interference call and runner would not be called out in this case for being hit. However, what is the ruling on the ball after hitting the player? Is it not a dead ball when a player is hit and injured on the ground?

If you could answer and cite the rule, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanx

Answer
Art,

The ball remains live and in play if the catcher hits the runner with an thrown ball.  As for the injury, it is in the judgement of the umpire whether to stop play or not.  In this instance, the umpire let play commence, which is fine.

As for the batter-runner being called out, the umpire might have felt that the batter-runner was making an attempt to advance to second base, otherwise, there would be no call (section #7 from your situation above).

There is no rule to cite the thrown ball, as it falls under many rules, mainly 7.08 (a).

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover