Runner at 1B, stealing 2B on the pitch, less than 2 outs.
The LF fielder dives for a sinking line drive. It hits his body (no catch) and is unintentionally deflected out-of-play. After discussion, the ump awards the runner from first home, claiming he had advanced beyond 2nd -- and the batter third, claiming he had rounded first.
Now, other than the fact that the home plate umpire could not have possibly seen the position of both runners in addition to the timing of the deflected hit....what rule should be invoked?
If it is the last base + 2 (as in the case where a ball is thrown out-of-play from the outfield), is it from the time it hits the fielder or the time it actually rolls out of the field of play?
We have the game under protest.
Thanks.
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