Rules question of the day

A

I think "D".  Key here is "Ball hits the Bat".  

If the Bat is dropped or thrown onto the Ball, then "A".

Yesterday's answer   D … Rule Book 5-1-1b; 5-1-1f; 8-4-1d

Today's Question

With R2 on second base and one out, the pitcher throws a wild pitch that strikes the backstop and rebounds back towards home plate. F2, who has taken off his mask, catches the ball with the mask as it comes toward him. R2 does not advance. The Umpire should:

a.   Award R2 third base.

b.    Award R2 home

c. Make no call as F2 did not throw his mask at the ball

A. I would think using the mask would fall under the same rule as using your hat to catch the ball. 

A. Award 3rd base.

Yesterdays answer    B.      Rule Book 8-3-3-1c     You knew touching a live ball with  detached equipment awards bases.  2 bases if it is a foul ball   3 bases if it is fair or likely to be fair.

Today's question....

The pitcher, with his pivot foot parallel to and in contact with the pitcher’s plate, does not come to a complete stop and delivers a pitch. There is no one on base and the batter hits a home run. The umpire should:

a. Allow the offensive coach to choose the result of the play or the penalty.

b. The home run counts since there was no one on base; it was not an illegal pitch.

c.    Declare an immediate dead ball when the pitcher threw the pitch

B. But I've been wrong on the other two, so it is probably C.

For yesterday's question:

Rule 5.06 3 E from the MLB rulebook.  

(3) Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when:

(E) A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with
his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached
from its proper place on his person. The ball is in
play, and the award is made from the position of
the runner at the time the ball was touched.

I need to get in the right rule book....

MLB / NCAA /NFHS differ in some aspects.   The questions and answers are strictly from NFHS.

Last Answer … C.  Rule Book 6-1-3 penalty  …. NFHS  Illegal pitch is immediate dead ball.   MLB - I believe is delayed.

With the bases loaded and one out, B1 swings and misses at a pitch in the dirt that is strike three. He then runs towards first base. The catcher gets the ball and throws wildly past first base in an attempt to retire B1. Two runs score and R1 goes to third and B1 to second. The umpire should:

a. Call B1 out for interference and return all runners

b.    Call B1 out on strike 3 and allow the advancement of the baserunners.

c. Call a dead ball as soon as B1 runs toward first base.

NewUmpire posted:

Last Answer … C.  Rule Book 6-1-3 penalty  …. NFHS  Illegal pitch is immediate dead ball.   MLB - I believe is delayed.

With the bases loaded and one out, B1 swings and misses at a pitch in the dirt that is strike three. He then runs towards first base. The catcher gets the ball and throws wildly past first base in an attempt to retire B1. Two runs score and R1 goes to third and B1 to second. The umpire should:

a. Call B1 out for interference and return all runners

b.    Call B1 out on strike 3 and allow the advancement of the baserunners.

c. Call a dead ball as soon as B1 runs toward first base.

 

B. B-1 is out unless there are 2 outs. Runners may advance at their own risk

Yesterdays answer  B …. TerribleBP is finally off the schneid

Todays Question

The improper batter's at bat becomes legal when no appeal is made, and...

a. A legal pitch is delivered to the next batter.

b. An illegal pitch occurs.

c. An intentional base on balls has been granted.

d.   All of the above.

a

a)

I’m going with D. I know A is correct, and I would think C as well. Not sure about B, but it fits with D so I’m sticking with it 

Glad I found this to occupy some time in my day!

D 

Yesterday's answer    D

Rule Book 7-1-2 penalty

Today's Question

The visiting team has used one of its three defensive charged conferences when the game enters the 8th inning. It now has available for use:

a. Two charged conferences

b. Three charged conferences

c.    One charged conference

d. None

C

C

Yesterday's answer  C.   3 for 3  but that was a BP fastball.

Todays question.

With R1 on first, R3 on third and one out, R1 breaks with the pitch. B1 lines to right center and F8 makes a sensational catch. R3 tags and scores, but R1 is doubled off first.

a. R3's run always counts.

b. R3's run never counts

c.    R3's run only counts if he touches home before R1 is retired.

d. R3's run counts unless the defense appeals that he didn’t touch home before R1 was retired.

I'll have to go with C as a timing play

First of all, you better be wearing a helmet and elbow guard if you want to see my BP fastball!

I'm going with B on this one. I would assume it is similar to a force play.

The answer is C … Rule Book 9-1-1

Today's Question

B1 lays down a bunt up the first base line. F2 fields it and throws to first in an attempt to retire B1. As B1 is running to first he is straddling the base line, with his right foot in foul territory and his left in fair territory. The throw goes just over his left shoulder and the first baseman ducks and misses the throw. The umpire should:

a. Allow the ball to remain alive since the throw did not hit the runner

b.    Call the batter runner out for interference since he was in fair territory and obstructed the view of the first baseman

A

For those casual readers - this is a typically poorly written FED question with vague answers... At the beginning of the online test it says something like choose the best answer - IOW: guess if we screw up the question ;-)...   

B1? s/b BR...  Doesn't state where the BR is when F2 throws - is he more than half way down (e.g. 45 ft line)?  Calling out for "in fair territory and obstructed the view" - really?  8.4.1(g) indicates runner is out when "he runs outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base;"... (1) ... infraction is ignored if it's to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw... (2) the BR is considered outside the running lane lines if either foot is outside either line.     IOW: A *lot* can happen to alter reality and judgement that a black and white question cannot convey.

An astute reader will further note 1B is *inside* the baseline and the running lane is *outside* the baseline - so the accepted interpretation is that the last 1 1/2 steps may be towards 1b, e.g. that means the last step could be inside the baseline while the BR is making last stride towards the base

JohnF, but if the answer is A, it wouldn't matter, right?  It would only matter if the all hits B1 (if I am correct in it being A).

Hard to formulate the right answer to the question without more facts, but A makes less sense than B. Because the question says "left foot in fair territory" I'm left to assume the question is determining what you know about the rule and that the left foot is completely to the left of the fair/foul line. Similar to the hitting a ball with a foot in/out of the lines of the batters box type questions - these are what I usually deem as had to be there situations and/or trick questions.

It doesn't matter if the ball hits the runner or not - sometimes that makes it easier. The onus on legality is on the runner to have both feet completely inside that running lane... The hard one is the dropped 3rd where the catcher will yell inside or outside, but the 1b-man doesn't follow suit and the runner makes a choice to move outside the running lane because he doesn't want to be pegged in the backside, but then goes right into the throw. There's also many schools that don't put down chalk/paint, then what? Umpire discretion - we all know how that ends... 

Last Answer   …. B …. Rule Book 8-4-1g

I agree with John F.  MOST of the questions on the exam are poorly worded, lack information.  I used to fight the wording with our state interpreter … not any more, not worth the effort.

Today's Question

B1's batted ball strikes the ground and bounces up to accidentally make contact with the barrel of B1’s bat while the bat is over fair ground. B1, at the time, is in the batter’s box and is holding the bat.

a.    Foul ball.

b. Fair ball.

c. B1 is immediately declared out.

d. B1 is awarded first base.

A

A if he's still in the box

Yesterday's answer    A

Today's Question.

With R2 on second, R3 on third and one out, B1 homers. R3 touches the plate and maliciously crashes into the catcher, who was standing out of the basepath. R2, who had been running on the pitch, touched the plate immediately after R3 and before R3’s contact with the catcher.

a. No runs score.

b. One run scores.

c. Two runs score.

d.    Three runs score.

C

C then R3 should be ejected

D.  and then R3 should be ejected

NewUmpire posted:

 

With R2 on second, R3 on third and one out, B1 homers. R3 touches the plate and maliciously crashes into the catcher, who was standing out of the basepath. R2, who had been running on the pitch, touched the plate immediately after R3 and before R3’s contact with the catcher.

Agree that "D" (and eject R3) is the accepted answer, but it could be argued that the batter's run should not score either. 

Rule 5-1-1-m is immediate dead ball for malicious contact . Rule 8-2-6-k says no following run can score after the third out on a base-running infraction. And even when bases are awarded (home run), the bases must still be touched in proper order. And Fed rules already call for disallowing the run for a batter who hits a home run and is called out for passing another runner on the base path.

But what about the question of why R2 was running on the pitch with his teammate on third base?  :-)

Yesterday's answer -   D.   Yes R3  is ejected.    

That was the last.  NJSIAA took down the ability to review the exams so I have no further questions.

Here is a bonus situation … not from the exam.

Bases loaded - full count - 2 outs.  Runner from third breaks for home timing first movement.  Touches home before the ball gets to home plate for a strike but after it leaves the pitcher's hand. 

a.    Out three because of strike.

b.    Run scores because runner touched home before ball gets there.   

Fastball or eephus pitch 

A runner that fast should only need at most 3 pitches to score after reaching first base. 

B, but I’d hate to be the one to have to make that call

Here’s one maybe some of the umpires can opine on. This happened in a Little League game years ago. 

Two out, runners on 1 & 3. B1 hits a ground ball to second baseman. R1 gets into a rundown between 1st and 2nd. R3 crosses home plate, HC1 (me) is yelling to just tag 2nd base, which the fielder does.

The plate umpire says the run scores. I protest (all star game) and it goes to regionals who finally say the run doesn’t score. The opposing coach was livid and to this day says the run counts because then fielder engaged in a rundown before making the force out at second. 

You got it right. 3rd out on a force play - no run can score.  The fact that the runner danced around between bases does not change anything.

Here's a comment from the LL Rules Instruction Manual on Force Plays and when the Force is removed:

"A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runner legally loses the right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner. (NOTE: Confusion regarding
this play is removed by remembering that frequently the “force” situation is removed during the play. Example: Runner on first, one out, ground ball hit sharply to
first baseman, who touches the bag and the batter-runner is out. The force is removed at that moment and runner advancing to second must be tagged. If there had
been a runner at second or third, and either of these runners scored before the tag-out at second, the run(s) would count. Had the first baseman thrown to second and
the ball had been returned to first the play at second would have been a force-out, making two outs, and the return throw to first would have made the third out. In
that case, no run would score.)"

T Thomas was kind enough to send some links to other exams...  so will keep this going.

 With R1 on first breaking with a 3-2
pitch, F1’s pitch hits the front edge of the plate and bounds over the fence. R1 touches second before the ball hits the plate.

a. B1 is awarded second.

b. R1 remains at second.

c. R1 is awarded third.

d. R1 is awarded home

Kid musta got a heckuva jump. 

awarded home 

D

B

Same answer as before - why wait 5 pitches to steal second if he's that fast ;-)  In this case, no way it's an eephus pitch - that would have bounced back towards the pitcher.

Considering this from my google search - "How long does it take a 60 mph fastball to reach home plate?"... "Divide the distance from the pitching rubber to home plate by the speed of the fastball in feet per second. On a major league ball field this distance is 60 feet 6 inches, or 60.5 feet. For a pitch traveling 139.33 feet per second, you have 60.5/139.33 = 0.434 seconds."

So the runner went say 80 ft in the same time - running faster than 60 mph...  This is yet more proof the test writers never played the sport 

Still it'd take me at least 8.3.3d seconds to get that right ;-)

I have a few years of tests saved in text format - we could keep this going all summer if we needed to

Yesterday's answer... B.   The runner gets 1 base on a pitch that goes out of play.  His last base is determined at time of pitch … no matter how fast he is.

Today's question...

In the top of the first, the visiting coach wants to pinch hit for his starting pitcher (who has not yet faced a batter).
a. He may, provided the starting pitcher re-enters in the bottom of the first.

b. He may, provided the pitcher is also the DH.

c. He may not.

A

Friday's answer  A.

Today's question

 B1 lines a pitch right back at the pitcher’s feet. F1 eludes the ball, but it hits the front edge of the rubber and rebounds across the foul line in front of first base.

a. Fair ball.

b. Foul ball.

c. Depends on local ground rules

A. How does someone come up with this scenario? 

Yesterdays answer  B.   The rubber is in front of both 1st and 3rd base.  The ball never passes a base before being touched in foul territory.

Actually experienced this in my teen years … before the fields were maintained, the mound usually had a big hole in front of the rubber.  

 B1 homers over the left-field fence, but doesn’t touch second. As B1 touches third, the third-base coach sends him back to touch the missed base. B1 complies and continues around the bases, touching third and home.
a. Legal play.

b. B1 is out.

c. B1 is out on appeal.

I'll say A. But if he rounded third and didn't touch it on the way back to second I would say C. But the way it is written I believe it is A. Then again, I'm .500 or worse on these so it is probably B

And the average is dropping,  Yesterday's answer C.   When the ball is dead, a runner may not retreat to correct a base running error once they have reached the next base.

Today's question.

The bases are loaded when B1 hits a Texas Leaguer into short left field. F7 picks up the ball and throws wildly toward the plate into the stands. When F7 released the ball, all runners had advanced to the next base, but B1 had not yet reached first.

a. One run scores.

b. Two runs score.

c. Three runs score.

d. B1 is awarded first.

3 runs score and B1 is on 2nd I believe, I don't see that as an option...

C. 

if we agree the runners gets 2bags from the release of the throw. how does B1 not go to 2? 

old_school posted:

if we agree the runners gets 2bags from the release of the throw. how does B1 not go to 2? 

I think it is a trick question by not giving you the result for B1 and only giving you the result of the runners.

Yesterday's answer  … C   (Another shining example of a poorly worded question and incomplete options for answers).   I have learned to not read too much into the question - and to choose the answer that is MOST right.

Yes B1 would be awarded 2nd as well.

Today's question.

Which of the following do not result in an immediate dead ball?
a. Runner interference.

b. Batter interference.

c. Base umpire interference.

d. A fair batted ball touches a spectator.

e. A balk.

Happy Easter to all.  Next update will be Monday.  

D

happy Easter!

A

i'm switching my answer to A. I believe if the runner interferes, the defense has the option to take the result of the play. 

Another poorly worded question and answer.   Possibly a trick question.  Which do NOT result in an immediate dead ball.   The answer sheet says B.  

The thought is … If the batter interferes with the catcher's throw to 2nd or 3rd on a steal, if the runner is out, the play stands.  If safe batter is called out and the runner returns.

Today's question.

B1 asks for and receives time to talk to his 3b coach.  While they are conversing, the defensive coach motions to the pitcher to meet him at the foul line.  As the offensive conference breaks the defensive coach returns to his dugout,

a. Only a defensive conference is charged.

b. Only an offensive conference is charged.

c. Both a defensive and offensive conference is charged.

C

B

Yesterday's answer  -  B.  The defensive team is not charged if their conference does not extend beyond that of the offensive team - who requested the time out,

Today's question.

With one out bases loaded, the batter hits a pop up near 1st base.   Infield fly is called.  R1 broke on the contact and was tracking the fly as he returned to 1st base.   In returning he bumped into the fielder making the play.  The fielder - after contact - still makes the catch in foul territory.

a. Only the batter-runner (B1) is out.

b. Only the runner on first (R1) is out.

c. Both B1 and R1 are out.

A

C

Yesterday's answer  B.   The interference causes an immediate dead ball.

Today's question...

Runner on third (R3) 0 outs / 3-0 count  Batter swings and misses, ball gets away from catcher.  R3 tries to score, B2 stands in the box and unintentionally interferes with the play at the plate.

a, Batter awarded 1st.

b. R3 returned to third.

c. R3 is out.

d. Batter is out.

e. R3 scores.

C

Yesterday's answer.  

Today's question.

Which of the following runners are out when hit by a batted ball.

a. A Runner touching a base hit by a fair line drive.

b. A Runner touching a base hit by an infield fly.

c. A Runner hit by a ball previously hit by another runner.

d. A Runner hit in foul territory by a deflected fair ball.

e. None of the above.

f. All of the above

g. A and B

h. A B and C

E. Some interesting scenarios there

e

"A"ssuming there is no infielder (not including the pitcher) that tried to make a play on that ball in front of said runner on a base for the line drive and the umpire is convinced there's no infielder behind the runner that has a play on the ball....  grumble, grumble... A base is only a safety zone on IFR, but if you're not on the base and get hit by an IFR - we've got a double play. 

I have to say I hope those of you playing along and getting wrong answers won't try to make calls from the stands when you get to go to games again sometime in the future . 

JohnF posted:

"A"ssuming there is no infielder (not including the pitcher) that tried to make a play on that ball in front of said runner on a base for the line drive and the umpire is convinced there's no infielder behind the runner that has a play on the ball....  grumble, grumble... A base is only a safety zone on IFR, but if you're not on the base and get hit by an IFR - we've got a double play. 

I have to say I hope those of you playing along and getting wrong answers won't try to make calls from the stands when you get to go to games again sometime in the future . 

My strike zone from my chair at a 45* angle from the plate is ALWAYS better than the umpire’s! 

John F hit it on the screws.  The answer is A.

Today's Question

R1 on first hit and run is on.  B1 hits a long fly ball to CF that is caught.  R1 touches second on way to 3rd but misses 2nd as he retreats to 1st.   CF overthrows 1st and ball goes out of play.  The umpire correctly awards the R1 3rd base.

a, Since R1 touched 2nd at least 1 time it is not considered a missed base.

b. The award negates the appeal of the missed base.

c. If R1 touches 2nd while proceeding on the award, an appeal on the missed base cannot be upheld.

d. R1 is called out on a proper appeal, whether or not he touched 2nd while advancing on the award.

B

D

I am flunking out on this thread big time. I am kicking virtual dirt on New Ump's shoes.

Friday's answer - C.   Commonly referred to as "last time by".  In short - if a runner properly touches a base the "Last time by" - all other base running errors are negated.  

Today's question:

B1 bunts down the 1st base line … the ball is rolling in foul territory.  In disgust as B1 is running to 1st he intentionally kicks the ball towards the dugout.  The umpire is certain the ball has no chance to roll fair.

a. B1 is issued a warning for the actions.

b. B1 is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

c. B1 is out.

d. The play stands - foul ball.

B

The answer key says D,  But depending on the severity of the actions.. A and B are not off the table.

Today's question.

LH batter runner on 1st.  Batter attempts a drag bunt, foul tips the ball into the catchers mitt.  Catcher attempts to throw behind the runner at 1st base.  The throw hits the batter who has both feet out of the box.

a. Legal

b. Batter is out - interference

c. Foul Ball

B

Yesterday's answer is B.  

Today's question.

B1 hits a ball to CF - it is caught.   The base umpire notices the CF has a 1st baseman's mitt.

a. B1 is out - mitt must be removed.

b. The offense has the option to replay the pitch.

c. B1 is awarded 3 bases - illegal equipment.

d. No infraction.  Any player may use a 1st baseman's mitt.

Finally broke my wrong streak! 

For this question, wouldn’t the offense need to appeal? I’ll go with C

And a new streak starts.

The answer is D.  A 1st baseman's glove can be used at any position.

Today's question:

0-2 count - 2 outs B3 swings and makes contact on a ball that is thrown in the dirt and bounces into the air.  The tipped ball goes directly into the catchers glove and is caught.

a. Strike 3 - Runner out and may not advance.

b, Strike 3 - Runner may attempt to advance.

c. Foul ball.

I bet this one would cause all sorts of yelling at a game. 

C

@TerribleBPthrower posted:

I bet this one would cause all sorts of yelling at a game.  C

Maybe you should consider changing your screen name to TerribleQuizAnswerer.

It's a JOKE    :-)    :-)

@T_Thomas posted:

Maybe you should consider changing your screen name to TerribleQuizAnswerer.

It's a JOKE    :-)    :-)

The funny thing is coaches and parents always turn to me for rules during games! Granted, I've never seen most of these scenarios, but in youth and high school I'm sure you see all sorts of things.

That's a fascinating question - weirdly worded, but dissected to be - ball pitched, ball bounces in dirt, batter swing that tips ball, ball goes directly to catchers mitt, and is caught, A-yup very unusual...  The answers leave me perplexed because they indicate runner and not batter-runner ...

I'll answer things this way... A batter can hit a bounced pitch fair, right? Anyone disagree? So when determining hit/foul or not it only matters what happens after the batter makes contact with the ball.  Don't be fooled into your knowledge that a pitched ball must pass through the strike zone "in flight" to be ruled a strike if the batter doesn't swing (even on those dropped 3rd type situations).  Beyond that, consider if I had an 0-2 count, cared about OBP more than strikeout count, and I felt that a pitched ball was going to the backstop - why not swing & miss and run to first, especially with 2 outs... (think air-mailed to backstop or thrown badly in dirt that catcher would have no chance at fielding).  So the yelling would go from why are you swinging at that pitch to *run*!  Of course no one is yelling at the umpire that gets this right 

And the streak continues 

Yesterday's answer A. 

JohnF had the correct thought process.   Something in his reply caught my eye.  Maybe I read it wrong … "Don't be fooled into your knowledge that a pitched ball must pass through the strike zone "in flight" to be ruled a strike if the batter doesn't swing (even on those dropped 3rd type situations)."   I interpret this as saying a bounced pitch not swung at can be called a strike.

Yet 7.2.1.a reads …  A strike is charged to the batter when:   a. A pitch enters any part of the stroke zone in flight and is not struck at.

Today's question.

Runner on 2nd.  3-2 count batter swings and misses.  Ball deflects off catcher's glove and gets lodged in the plate umpire's uniform.

a. B1 is out.

b. B1 is awarded 1st base.

c. B1 out and R2 is awarded 3rd only if he was attempting to advance.

d. B1 is awarded 1st and R2 is awarded 3rd.

D

I am almost always agreeing with TerribleBP, so I am just as bad at answering questions.... I am actually good at throwing BP, though.

@Viking0 posted:

I am almost always agreeing with TerribleBP, so I am just as bad at answering questions.... I am actually good at throwing BP, though.

I used to be a great BP thrower until I messed my shoulder up. Apparently I was never good at the rules though...

@NewUmpire posted:

And the streak continues 

Yesterday's answer A. 

JohnF had the correct thought process.   Something in his reply caught my eye.  Maybe I read it wrong … "Don't be fooled into your knowledge that a pitched ball must pass through the strike zone "in flight" to be ruled a strike if the batter doesn't swing (even on those dropped 3rd type situations)."   I interpret this as saying a bounced pitch not swung at can be called a strike.

Yet 7.2.1.a reads …  A strike is charged to the batter when:   a. A pitch enters any part of the stroke zone in flight and is not struck at.

[...] 

You'll note I said "A-yup" ;-) as part of my first paragraph - it was a hint... 

"In flight" to me means it doesn't bounce...   Once it bounces no called strike, but I'm also not calling foul immediately if a batter swings at the bounced pitch and makes contact...  Imagine doing that and the ball is hit for a HR...  Quick let me grab the *other* end of the stick.

Friday's answer - B.  R2 only advances if he is forced by the award to B1.

That's all I have - Thanks for playing.

Thanks for posting. I’ve enjoyed it. 

Thanks as well. 

Thanks!