Stump The Ump Quiz 6

1. With R1 at 1st, while beginning her pitch to B2, F1 loses control of the ball in her backswing. The ball hits her hip and rolls toward the 1st base dugout but comes to a stop and does not cross the foul line. F1 retrieves the ball and attempts to make a play on R1 who is safe at 2nd on the play.

No Pitch since the ball did not cross the foul line. R1 remains at 2nd.

No Pitch since F1 lost the ball while in her backswing. R1 remains at 2nd.

Illegal pitch since F1 retrieved her pitched ball. Award: Ball on batter and R1 awarded 2nd.

Ball on batter. R1 remains on 2nd.

Rule 6.2.6 When the ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during the backswing or forward motion, it is a pitch. EFFECT: A ball is awarded to the batter, and the ball remains in play and runners may advance with liability to be put out. A defensive player may immediately retrieve the ball as long as the batter has no opportunity to contact the pitch.

Explanation

Rule 6.2.6 When the ball slips from the pitcher’s hand during the backswing or forward motion, it is a pitch. EFFECT: A ball is awarded to the batter, and the ball remains in play and runners may advance with liability to be put out. A defensive player may immediately retrieve the ball as long as the batter has no opportunity to contact the pitch.

2. After the pregame conference ends, Team A's coach decides not to start F1 and reports a substitution to the plate umpire

Legal. Record the substitution. F1 has been removed from the game and has 1 re-entry left but may not return to the pitching position.

Legal. Record the substitution. F1 has been removed from the game and has 1 re-entry left. She may return to the pitching position later in the game.

Illegal. F1 must pitch to at least 1 batter before being substituted for.

Casebook 3.3.2 SITUATION D Ruling: Lineups become official after they have been exchanged, verified and then accepted by the plate umpire during the pregame conference. F1 may re-enter the game at any position.

Explanation

Casebook 3.3.2 SITUATION D Ruling: Lineups become official after they have been exchanged, verified and then accepted by the plate umpire during the pregame conference. F1 may re-enter the game at any position.

3. While taking her warm-up pitches prior to the start of the fourth inning, F1 develops a blister on the tip of her index finger and is replaced as pitcher. S1 takes seven warmup pitches.

F1 may no longer return to the pitching position during the game.

F1 may still return to the pitching position later in the game

S1 should not have taken the extra warmups. Therefore B1 begins with 2 balls.

Casebook 6.2.5 SITUATION B: F1 could re-enter as pitcher.
Rule 6.2.5 Note 2: Umpire is authorized to allow more pitches when weather is inclement or if pitcher was removed due to an injury.

Explanation

Casebook 6.2.5 SITUATION B: F1 could re-enter as pitcher.
Rule 6.2.5 Note 2: Umpire is authorized to allow more pitches when weather is inclement or if pitcher was removed due to an injury.

4. With 1 out, R3 is on 2nd and R2 on 3rd, the pitch gets by F2 and rolls to the backstop. B4 steps back completely out of the batters box and waves runner home. In the process, F2 tosses the ball toward F1 who is covering home. The ball hits the batter in the back and falls to the ground. B2 then crosses the plate safely.

The run scores. No interference and a live ball since it was not an intentional attempt by B4 to prevent the out.

R2 is out due to interference. R3 returns to 2nd.

B4 is out for interference and both runners return to the base they were on at the time of the pitch.

R2 is out due to B4 getting in the way of the play. R3 is allowed to remain at 3rd where she advanced during the action.

Rule 8.2.6 states that the batter is out if she intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while out of the batter's box. Rule 8.2.7 says the batter-runner is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an obvious out at home plate. Since her action was not intentional and she was vacating homeplate to get out of the way of the play, therefore not attempting to prevent the out, the ball would remain alive and R2 would be safe.

Explanation

Rule 8.2.6 states that the batter is out if she intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while out of the batter's box. Rule 8.2.7 says the batter-runner is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an obvious out at home plate. Since her action was not intentional and she was vacating homeplate to get out of the way of the play, therefore not attempting to prevent the out, the ball would remain alive and R2 would be safe.

5. With bases loaded, B4 hits a line drive up the middle. The ball ricochets off the pitcher and hits R2 who is off the base. The ball, which never hits the ground, is then caught by the shortstop.

The ball is dead and R2 is out.

The ball is alive and B4 is out on the catch.

The ball is alive. No one is out and all 4 base runners are at risk.

The ball is dead and B4 is awarded first base and base runners move up one base.

Rule 2.9.5e A catch shall not be credited if: The ball strikes anything or anyone other than a defensive player while it is in flight. In this case the ball is ruled a ground ball.

Explanation

Rule 2.9.5e A catch shall not be credited if: The ball strikes anything or anyone other than a defensive player while it is in flight. In this case the ball is ruled a ground ball.