Stump The Ump - Questions - July 2008

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Situation 1: The batter hits a grounder to the second baseman. He/she throws the ball to the first baseman …the ball sails over the first baseman into the dugout. The batter-runner is awarded two bases on the overthrow. In advancing, however, the batter-runner missed first base. IS HE/SHE OUT IF A PROPER APPEAL IS MADE?

Situation 2: Runner on second…the batter lines a one-hopper to the right fielder. The runner missed third en route home. The right fielder’s throw beats the runner home and a rundown ensues. The runner is obstructed by the catcher during the rundown. The umpire calls “time” and awards the runner home. The runner crosses the plate. MAY THE DEFENSIVE TEAM NULLIFY THIS RUN BY MAKING A PROPER APPEAL AT THIRD?

Situation 3: JR/SR/BLBB Runner on first…one out…3-1 count. The pitcher balks but goes ahead and pitches… the pitch is wild and gets by the catcher. The batter reaches first, but the runner from first is thrown out at third. Does this play stand….OR… would you nullify the out and award the runner second on the balk?

Situation 4: 3 balls…1 strike…1 out, the pitcher fires a fastball into the dirt. It deflects off the catcher’s shin-guard and rolls into the first base dugout. The offensive manager argues that the batter should be awarded second base since he/she would have gotten first on “ball four”. DO YOU AGREE?

Situation 5: Runner on first base. The batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman who throws to second…too late to retire the runner. The second baseman throws to first after the batter-runner has already touched first base; the ball deflects off the first baseman’s mitt and rolls into the dugout. WHERE ARE THE RUNNERS PLACED?

Situation 6: JR/SR/BLBB/SB No one on…no outs. The batter is called out on “Strike Three”. The pitch eludes the catcher and rolls toward the first base dugout. The batter-runner takes off for first and is running in fair territory when the catcher’s throw to first hits him/her. IS HE/SHE OUT?

Situation 7: JR/SR/BLBB Runner on second base…the pitcher is in his/her “set position.” Expecting the runner to be stealing on the pitch…the pitcher starts his/her delivery…BUT…instead of delivering to the batter….he/she fires to the third baseman covering the base. TO EVERYONE’S SURPRISE…THE RUNNER NEVER LEAVES SECOND. IS THIS A BALK?

Situation 8: With a runner on first base, the batter lines a base hit into left field. The runner from first is approaching second as the left fielder’s high throw is knocked to the ground by the second baseman’s thrown glove. IS THIS LEGAL…OR…DO YOU AWARD THE RUNNERS BASES?

Situation 9: JR/SR/BLBB Runners on second and third…two outs. The pitcher balks but goes ahead and delivers the pitch. The batter slashes a double into right-center…scoring both runners. The batter is declared out when the defensive team appeals that he/she missed first base. HOW MANY RUNS SCORE?

Situation 10: JR/SR/BLBB Runners on first and third…the pitcher is in the “set position.” The runner on third breaks toward home…the pitcher steps directly toward third and fakes a throw. The runner dives back into third base as the pitcher holds the ball. IS THIS A BALK?