Behind the Plate - November/December 2006

Behind the Plate with Andy By Andy Konyar Umpire Consultant Little League International

Did you ever see the catcher scoop up the ball with his/her mask and then throw it back to the pitcher? Ever see an infielder catch a ball with his/her cap and wonder what, if any, the penalty would be for that? Ever see a fielder catch a batted ball with his/her hat to impress his/her teammates? Check out these rulings.

Any defensive player deliberately touching a pitched ball with detached equipment (such as a catcher's mask, cap, etc.) will entitle all runners to advance one base from the time the ball was touched without liability to be put out. The ball is in play, and runners may advance beyond the awarded base at their own risk.

Any defensive player deliberately touching a batted ball over fair territory (or a batted ball over foul territory which, in the umpire's judgment has an opportunity to become a fair ball) with detached equipment will entitle all runners - including the batter-runner - to advance three bases from the time the ball was touched without liability to be put out. The ball is in play, and runners may advance beyond the awarded base at their own risk.
 

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