So I was reviewing the baserunning awards table (page 49) in the NFHS rules book as I'm preparing for HS fall scrimmages and I noticed something weird.
Under the "Two Bases" section, #2 says a batter/runner is awarded two bases from time of pitch if a fair batted or thrown ball lodges in defensive player's or umpire's uniform of equipment.
So, consider this situation: a batter hits a triple into deep right center field and as he is trotting in to third base, the second baseman is acting as cutoff and is receiving a throw from the right fielder. The throw takes one hop and lands inside the second baseman's jersey. Dead ball. There was no chance of a play at third base. Technically speaking, you are supposed to award the runner 2 bases from time of pitch so the runner should be awarded second base. In this case he has already easily made it to third base. I find it hard to believe anyone would consider sending the runner back to second base to comply with this rule. It's easy to imagine the anger from the offensive team.
However, a keen defensive coach could point to this rule and protest the situation if the runner was allowed to stay on third. I'm curious how some of you would handle this situation. Clearly, the intent of the rule is not to punish an offensive runner for the blunders of a defensive player, but that's what would happen if this rule were strictly applied. This may be poor wording in the rulebook and I think it should be changed and/or worded differently. Thoughts?
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