Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/7/2007

Question
Batter fouls the ball off behind home plate and ball is overthrown by the catcher as he attempts to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Is the ball live at this point and baserunners can advance on the overthrow or is ball still dead since pitcher never regained control of the ball

Answer
Greg,

The major league rule is:

5.11
After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes his place on the pitcher’s plate with a new ball or the same ball in his possession and the plate umpire calls “Play.” The plate umpire shall call “Play” as soon as the pitcher takes his place on his plate with the ball in his possession.

The pitcher has to have the ball and take up residence on the rubber; then the umpire calls "Play"  The ball is not live until this happens.  So, the base runners can not advance on an overthrow.

Hope this helps!

Brian