BATTED BALL STRIKING THE RUNNER

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BATTED BALL STRIKING THE RUNNER

Rules 5.06(c)(6), 6.01(a)(11):

The concept of the runner being in jeopardy after the ball goes past an infielder and strikes the runner in a situation where another infielder still has a chance to make a play on the ball applies ONLY when the ball PASSES the first infielder without being touched or deflected by him. This concept DOES NOT APPLY if the ball is touched or deflected by the first infielder, even though another infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball.

In other words, after a ball has been touched (deflected) by any infielder (including the pitcher), if the ball then strikes a runner (unintentionally on the part of the runner), the ball is alive and in play even if another infielder may be in position to field the ball. See Official Baseball Rules 5.06(c)(6) and 6.01(a)(11).

The reasoning for the above concept is that a runner cannot be expected to avoid a deflected ball while running and should not, therefore, be in jeopardy of being called out for being struck by such a deflected ball. Of course, a runner may still be guilty of intentional interference even after an infielder deflects the ball if the runner deliberately deflects the ball or allows it to strike him when he could have reasonably avoided it. The fact that the ball has been deflected by an infielder should not be taken as a license for a runner to interfere intentionally. See Official Baseball Rules 6.01(a)(6) and 6.01(a)(7).

After a batted ball has been touched (deflected) by an infielder, if the ball then strikes a runner (unintentionally on the part of the runner), it is alive and in play despite the fact that another infielder may be in position to field the ball. This is not the case if a fielder is making a play on the ball. Specifically, if a batted ball is deflected by an infielder and another infielder has a play on the ball, the runner must avoid the fielder. If the runner interferes with the fielder making a play— even though the ball has been touched by another fielder—the runner is declared out. Under the rules, a fielder making a play on a batted ball takes priority.

On the other hand, if a batted ball goes through or by an infielder (other than the pitcher) without touching the fielder and then strikes a runner immediately behind the infielder, the umpire must then determine if another infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball. If the umpire determines another infielder does have a chance, the runner is out. If the umpire determines another infielder does not have a chance, the ball is alive and in play.

The interpretation to be made with regard to the phrase “a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and touches a runner immediately back of him” (Official Baseball Rules 6.01(a)(11), 5.06(c)(6)), and 5.09(c)(7)) is that this refers to a ball that passes through the infielder’s legs, or by his immediate vicinity, and strikes a runner directly behind the infielder.

EXAMPLES:
(1) Runner on second base, one out. The batter hits a ball on the ground toward the hole. The third baseman charges in on the grass to try to cut the ball off as the shortstop breaks deep toward the hole while the runner is advancing. The ball gets past the third baseman without the third baseman having touched it and strikes the runner in the base path. The shortstop had a play on the ball.

Ruling: Runner from second is out and the batter-runner is awarded first base. The ball passed by but was not touched by an infielder other than the pitcher before striking the runner. However, another fielder behind the runner was deprived of an opportunity to field the ball.

(2) Runner on second base, one out. The batter hits a ground ball toward the
hole. The third baseman charges in on the grass to cut the ball off and the shortstop breaks deep toward the hole as the runner advances. The ball is deflected by the third baseman in the direction of the shortstop. The shortstop would have had a play on the ball, but the ball struck the runner, resulting in no play being possible.

Ruling: Runner from second is not out and the ball is alive and in play (assuming no intentional interference by the runner from second). The fact that the shortstop would have been able to make a play on the ball had it not struck the runner is disregarded because the ball was deflected by the first infielder.

(3) Runner on first base, one out. Runner is stealing on the next pitch. The batter hits a ground ball back toward the pitcher. The pitcher deflects the ball in the direction of the second baseman, who definitely has a chance to make a play on it. However, the ball strikes the runner before it reaches the second baseman.

Ruling: Runner from first is not out; the ball remains alive and in play (assuming no intentional interference by the runner). Compare this play with the following play.

(4) Runner on first base, one out. Runner is running on the next pitch. The batter hits a ground ball back toward the pitcher. The pitcher deflects the ball in the direction of the second baseman. As the runner is running directly to second base, he unintentionally bumps into the second baseman, who is attempting to field the deflected ball.

Ruling: Interference is called and the runner from first is declared out. Even though deflected, this is still a batted ball and the runner must avoid the fielder. The batter-runner is awarded first base.

(5) Runners on first and second, both runners stealing. Batter shows bunt, the first and third basemen move in, and the shortstop moves to cover third. The batter swings at the last minute and hits a ground ball in the direction of the shortstop position. However, the shortstop has moved to cover third base, and no one is in position to field the ball. The ground ball strikes the runner advancing from second base.

Ruling: Runner from second is declared out for being struck by a batted ball. The batter-runner is placed at first base. The ball is not considered to have gone through or by an infielder in this play.

(6) Runners on first and second, first and third basemen in for a bunt, both runners stealing. Batter shows bunt but swings at the last minute and hits a chopper over the head of the third baseman who has moved in about 20 feet. The ball strikes the runner advancing from second. Two parts: (a) Assume the shortstop was in a position to make a play on the ball; (b) Assume the shortstop was not in position to make a play on the ball.
Ruling: In (a), runner from second is declared out. The ball is considered going by the third baseman, but another fielder had a chance to make a play on the ball. In (b), the ball is alive and in play. The ball is considered going by the third baseman, but no other infielder had a chance to make a play on the ball.

(7) Runner on first base, hit-and-run. Batter hits a ground ball towards the second base position (which has been vacated by the second baseman, who is covering the bag at second). The ground ball strikes the runner advancing from first base.

Ruling: Runner from first is declared out for being struck by a fair batted ball. Batter-runner is awarded first base. The ball is not considered having passed through or by an infielder in this play.

(8) Runner on first base, one out. Runner is running on the next pitch. The batter hits a ground ball back toward the pitcher. The pitcher deflects the ball in the direction of the second baseman, who definitely has a chance to make a play on it. However, the ball strikes the runner before it reaches the second baseman. As a result of striking the runner, the ball caroms into the shortstop’s glove, and the shortstop throws the batter-runner out at first base while the runner who was struck with the batted ball goes to second.

Ruling: The ball remains alive and in play (assuming no intentional interference by the runner originally on first). The batter-runner is out, and the runner originally on first is allowed to remain at second base.

(9) Runner on first base, first baseman positioned in front of the runner. Batter hits a ground ball just outside the reach of the first baseman as the first baseman dives to his right. The ball then strikes the runner.

Ruling: In this play the ball is considered having passed by an infielder. The umpire must now judge if another infielder has the chance to make a play on the ball. If the umpire judges yes, then the runner is declared out. If the umpire judges no, the ball is alive and in play.

(10) Bases loaded, no outs. The infield is playing in. The batter hits a sharp ground ball that the third baseman deflects in the direction of the shortstop. Runner from second, seeing that the shortstop definitely will have a good chance of making a play on the ball, allows it to strike the runner. The ball caroms into left field and all runners take off.

Ruling: Runner from second has intentionally interfered with a batted ball to break up a possible double play. Runner from second is out and so is the batter-runner. Runners return to first and third. Runner from second has violated Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(6).

(11) Runner on third, no outs. Batter hits a sharp ground ball down the third base line that strikes the runner on third base in fair territory while the runner is still in contact with third base. The runner was not attempting to interfere intentionally, and the third baseman is playing behind the runner.

Ruling: Runner is declared out. Ball is dead, and batter-runner is awarded first base. The fact that the runner had contact with the base when struck with the batted ball has no bearing on the play. (An exception to this is when the runner is hit by an Infield Fly while on base.)

(12) Runner on second base, no outs. Batter bunts the ball down the third base line. Pitcher and third baseman hover over the ball and let it roll down the line towards third, hoping it will go foul. The ball continues to roll down the line in fair territory with the pitcher and third baseman following it. The ball ends up rolling to third base, strikes the base, and then strikes the runner from second base who is now standing on third.

Ruling: Even though the ball has technically not passed a fielder, the ball is alive and in play because the fielders had an opportunity to field the batted ball but chose not to. The runner is not out in this situation.

TO SUMMARIZE:
A runner is out when struck by a batted ball (unintentional on the part of the
runner) unless:
(1) The ball has been touched by an infielder; or
(2) The ball has passed through or by an infielder AND no other infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball.

Also, a runner must attempt to avoid a fielder attempting to make a play on
a batted ball, even if the ball was deflected by another fielder.

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