tzemaitis

This is umpire judgement in the intent of the batter-runner.   If it is believed that the batter is doing this to intentionally confuse the defense then unsportsmanlike behavior will apply, and the umpire can warn/eject/ and/or return all runners…this would be considered “making a travesty of the game”. However, if this were a single incident and the batter runner truly thought somehow this might be ball four/strike three and he was entitled to run then you have nothing.  The defense does have an obligation to know the status of the game and what their options are as well. They simply could have made a play on the runner as he is in jeopardy once he leaves his base. Since a batter is entitled to run to first on ball four/strike three, I don’t see where any umpire would consider his actions inappropriate. I also don’t understand why you say a runner going from first to second is done to “trick” the catcher as it’s typical behavior for a runner to go from first to second.

This would be a legal tag if the second baseman was able to maintain control of the ball to the point he can exhibit voluntary release.

The OBR/NCAA runner, if he’s still in play and not in the dugout, must retouch home, third, second, and first before accepting his award to third base without touching a forward base first. If not, he would be subject to being called out on appeal.  For example, if an OBR/NCAA runner was between 2nd and 3rd when the ball went out of play, the runner could not continue forward touching third, and then begin his retreat to second and first…he must immediately retreat and touch second base and then first before advancing.  NFHS ruling is different on this play as the runner is only allowed to retreat to one base at all ..in this case, first base…to retouch legally.  Although a runner in NFHS could physically retouch all bases in your example before advancing on his award, he would be subject to be called out on appeal as he defined his base as home plate as soon as he re-touched it after the ball going out of play.

NFHS 5-1-1-H  ball becomes immediately dead when: (h) the umpire handles a live ball…runners would be returned to the base last acquired at the time of touching

 

OBR may be different.  Earlier versions of the rule book stated:

OBR 5.12 (b) 5 : If the umpire wishes to inspect the ball, he shall call time.  If the umpire otherwise handles a live ball, but the umpire releases the ball immediately, the ball remains live; otherwise the ball is dead.

However, the 2020 rule book states OBR 5.12 (b) 5: Calling “time” and dead balls – (5) when the umpire wishes to examine the ball, consult with either manager, or for any similar cause.

I’m not sure when OBR changed the verbiage on this section of the book or for what reason. Since, it was changed, I would infer that MLB would want it to be a dead ball, but without a reference remaining in the book, we can’t be sure.

 

Generally regarded as the last 60 ft of ball flight.  Imagine in MLB an outfielder who can throw the ball 350 ft towards home…you wouldn’t start saying the catcher is protected when the fielder releases the ball that far away.

NFHS 10.2.3(g) case book play: With R2 on second, and R1 on first and no outs, B3 hits an infield fly, but the umpire fails to call “infield fly” Is the infield fly in effect or not?  RULING: Even though the infield fly rule was not announced by the umpire, it is still in effect.  Both teams have the responsibility to know when conditions exist for an infield fly.

 

The Jaksa/Roder manual makes reference to the relevant high school rules, but does not delineate whether it is consistent or inconsistent with OBR.

On page 231 (back of book) for the Jaksa/Roder manual reads “NFHS 10.2.3g – The situation, not the declaration of the umpire, determines whether the batter-runner is out on an infield fly. Thus, if all conditions are met for an infield fly but it is not declared, the batter-runner is still out, and the play (including all other outs gained) stands.

On page 235, NCAA 2-48: The NCAA simply states that the ball is live during a declared or undeclared infield fly and the runners can advance at their own risk.

 

Thus, you’ve discovered a fine point differential.  NFHS – it is an infield fly regardless  NCAA/OBR – it is a live ball played on unless a double play is obtained by the defense for failure to call a qualified infield fly in which case, the umpires would rectify the situation.

There is no reason to call the runner out for entering the dugout. He has passed all bases without being tagged or forced and is considered safe unless an appeal makes him out. Field management would allow you to signal safe for clarification once the runner has abandoned his effort to return by heading towards the dugout. Once the runner has entered the dugout, he is permanently removed from the play. He cannot re-enter the field for any purpose. Since he did, you would just exercise some patience for the shenanigans. When the defense tags the runner and looks for a call, you can state “runner has already entered the dugout and is not in play”.  If the manager wants to call time and discuss it with you, you call time and tell him the runner is not in play once he enters the dugout and cannot return. If he asks if the run scores, you simply reply yes. If he questions whether or not he missed the plate, you state simply “coach, that is a question you would have to ask on proper appeal”.