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| Little League Rulebook Questions | |
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Situation 1 - The batter smashes a line drive base hit into right field but overruns first base. He/she makes no attempt to go to second. The right fielder fires the ball to the first baseman who tags the batter-runner before he/she gets back to the bag. IS HE/SHE OUT? |
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Situation 2 - JUNIOR/SENIOR/BIG LEAGUE/SOFTBALL ONLY. One out, runner on third base, two strikes on the batter. The runner is stealing home and the pitch hits him/her in the batter's strike zone. IS THE RUNNER SENT BACK TO THIRD? |
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Situation 3 - One out ... runners on first and second. Batter smashes a double to left field. Runner from second scores but runner from first is thrown out at the plate. The batter advances to second safely BUT is declared out on appeal for missing first base. DOES THE RUN SCORE? |
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Situation 4 - The runner on first is attempting to steal second. The catcher cocks his/her arm to throw to second and accidentally strikes the umpire in the mask. He/she hesitates briefly... then fires to second - too late to retire the runner. IS THIS A STOLEN BASE? |
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Situation 5 - In the late innings of a close game, the home team gets a runner to third base. To guard against a passed ball or wild pitch... the visiting manager brings in his/her right fielder to play behind the catcher and umpire. IS THIS LEGAL? |
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Situation 6 - The batter lifts a lazy pop-up near the first base stands. The first baseman goes near the stands to make the catch. The ball lands in the fielder's glove... but a fan reaches over the fence and picks the ball out of the glove. DO YOU CALL THE BATTER OUT FOR THE FAN'S INTERFERENCE? |
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Situation 7 - The pitcher has a problem releasing the ball and fires it into the ground ... the ball bounces once and enters the strike zone. The bewildered batter is surprised and takes the pitch. IS THIS A STRIKE? |
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Situation 8 - The base runner on first is running on the pitch... the batter flies out to right... the right fielder throws to first to double up the runner but the ball sails into the stands. Seeing the ball out-of-play... the returning runner stops in his/her tracks... reverses course and proceeds around second on to third. DO YOU ALLOW THIS? |
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Situation 9 - The runner on first base takes off for second... the batter swings at the pitch... misses... and the pitch hits him/her. WHAT'S YOUR RULING? |
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Situation 10 - With a runner on third, the pitcher starts his/her wind-up. Midway through his/her delivery...the batter steps out of the batter's box. The surprised hurler freezes in mid-stride and holds onto the ball. IS THIS A BALK/ILLEGAL PITCH? |
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Situation 11 - The umpires and managers meet at home plate to discuss the ground rules and exchange line-up cards. After the discussion has ended and both managers have left the home plate area, the plate umpire discovers that the visiting manager has listed one player twice on the line-up card. DOES THE UMP SAY ANYTHING... OR KEEP HIS/ HER MOUTH SHUT? |
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Situation 12 - The batter has a 3-1 count when his/her manager charges from the dugout. He/she points out to the ump that the wrong batter is at bat... he/she summons the proper batter to replace the improper batter. SHOULD THE UMPIRE ALLOW THIS SWAP? |
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Situation 13 - Runners on first and third... the infield is playing shallow to make a play at the plate. The batter smashes a hot ground ball right between the legs of the first baseman... the ball strikes the runner advancing from first. WHO'S OUT? |
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Situation 14 - As the lefthander delivers the pitch... a beach ball bounces into left field (could happen) behind the fielder... the batter smashes a line drive into the alley. The leftfielder scoops it up and fires to second. The defensive manager argues that "time" should have been called and the play nullified. DO YOU AGREE? |
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Situation 15 - There are two strikes on the batter. He/she decides to surprise the defense and squares around to bunt. The pitcher is surprised alright and uncorks a wild pitch. The batter tries desperately to avoid the pitch but the ball hits his/her bat and rolls foul. IS THE BATTER OUT FOR BUNTING FOUL ON THE THIRD STRIKE? |
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Situation 16 - The runner from first is attempting to steal second. He/she slides hard into the base and it comes out of the ground and lands several feet away. The second baseman then tags the runner who is not touching the base. IS HE/SHE OUT? |
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Situation 17 - The pitcher has a problem releasing the ball and fires it into the ground... the ball bounces once and enters the strike zone. The bewildered batter reacts quickly and sends the bouncer into right field for a base hit. OR IS IT? |
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Situation 18 - In the top of the fifth inning the manager makes a trip to the mound to settle his/her pitcher... the next batter gets a base hit. This time the manager sends his/her coach out to calm the pitcher. IS THE PITCHER ALLOWED TO PITCH TO ANOTHER HITTER? |
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Situation 19 - Top of the 7th, the defensive manager brings in a right-hander to face the Visiting team in its last at-bat. The first scheduled hitter is right-handed... so the offensive manager sends up a left-handed pinch hitter for him/her. Since a pinch hitter is substituted... the defensive manager wants to bring in another pitcher. IS THIS LEGAL? |
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Situation 20 - The batter chops a ball down the first base line. The pitcher rushes over to field the ball. He/ she stumbles and falls as he/she secures the ball. As he/she is rising... the batter-runner is unable to avoid him/her and contact occurs between the fielder's back and runner's left shoulder. The pitcher turns and tags the runner. WHAT'S THE CALL? |
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Situation 21 - Junior/Senior/Big League Baseball. One out, runner on third base, two strikes on the batter. The runner is stealing home and the pitch hits him/her in the batter's strike zone. IS THE RUNNER SENT BACK TO THIRD? |
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Situation 22 - One out... runners on first and second. Batter smashes a double to left field. Runner from second scores but runner from first is thrown out at the plate. The batter advances to second safely BUT is declared out on appeal for missing first base. DOES THE RUN SCORE? |
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Situation 23 - Runner on first, no outs, the batter hits a fly ball to left field. As the ball hits the left fielder's glove, the runner tags and breaks for second. The ball is juggled but the center fielder makes the catch before the ball hits the ground. The defensive team appeals that the runner left before the ball was caught ... IS THE RUNNER OUT FOR LEAVING TOO SOON? |
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Situation 24 - After a run-saving catch by the right fielder, the opposing manager approaches the umpire to complain that he/she thinks the right fielder is using an illegal glove - one that measures more than twelve inches from top to bottom. Upon closer examination, the umpire agrees. IS THE OUT NULLIFIED AND DOES THE RUN COUNT? |
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Situation 25 - Runner on third... the batter lifts a short popup near the third base dugout and stands. The third baseman gets to the fence in time and reaches into the stands to make the catch. He/she makes the catch but is off balance and falls in among the spectators. The runner tags but is thrown "out" by the third baseman. IS THIS A DOUBLE PLAY? |
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Situation 26 -Two outs... runner on third base... two strikes on the hatter. Runner is stealing home and the pitch hits him/her in the strike zone. DOES THE RUN COUNT? |
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Situation 27 - The pitcher has a no-hitter in the 7th with one out. With a runner on first, the batter hits a ground ball between first and second... the ball strikes the runner enroute to second... preventing the second baseman from making a play. The umpire calls the runner out for interference. IS THE NO-HITTER still INTACT? |
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Situation 28 - One out... bottom of the 6th inning... score tied with a runner on first. Batter hits a home run over the fence; runner rounds second and then cuts across the diamond to his/her dugout thinking the home run automatically wins the game. The batter-runner advances legally around all the bases. IS THIS GAME OVER? |
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Situation 29 - Runners on first and third... I out. The runner from first is stealing on the pitch... a fly ball is hit to right field. The ball is caught for the second out. The runner from third properly tags and scores but the runner from first is slow getting back to first and is thrown out at first for the third out before the can retouch. DOES THE RUN COUNT? |
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Situation 30 - Runner on first... 3-2 count on the batter. The batter checks his/her swing... the umpire calls ball 4 and the catcher asks the ump to "get help." The base umpire reverses the call to strike 3 and declares the batter out. Meanwhile... the runner from first has started a slow trot to second and is tagged. IS THE RUNNER OUT? |
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Answers
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Answer - Situation 1 - 7.08(c) No. He/she may overrun first base even on a clean base hit. If he/she attempted to advance and was tagged, he/she would be out. |
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Answer - Situation 2 - 6.05 (m) No. The run counts but the batter is called out on strike three. |
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Answer - Situation 3 - 4.09(a) NO. The runner does not score. The runner crossed the plate on a play in which the batter-runner made the third out BEFORE he/she touched first base. |
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Answer - Situation 4 - 5.09(b) No. This is considered umpire's interference. The runner is returned to first base. However, had the catcher still thrown out this runner, even after the interference by the umpire, the out would stand. |
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Answer - Situation 5 - 4.03 All fielders except the catcher must be positioned IN FAIR TERRITORY. This is not a legal maneuver. |
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Answer - Situation 6 - 3.16 The spectator is guilty of interference. He/she is not allowed to reach onto the playing field and interfere with a batted ball. The batter is OUT and the ball is dead. |
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Answer - Situation 7 - No, it is not a strike. 2.00 Definition of ball. The pitch must enter the strike zone "in flight" to be called a strike. However, if the batter swings at it and misses, it is a strike. |
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Answer - Situation 8 - 7.05(g) Yes. You allow this since the proper award is two bases. However, the runner may be declared out for failing to retouch first even though the ball was dead... if a proper appeal is made. |
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Answer - Situation 9 - 2.00/6.08 (b) The ball is dead. Call a STRIKE on the batter and return the runner to first base. |
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Answer - Situation 10 - 6.02 (b) The ball is dead and no balk shall be called. The batter may not step out after the pitcher starts his/her motion. Start over from "scratch." (A FP "do over") |
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Answer - Situation 11 - 4.01 (d) Obvious errors that are noticed "before the call of play" should be pointed out and corrected. |
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Answer - Situation 12 - 6.07 (a) (1) As the umpire, you allow the swap. The count remains the same, 3-1. However, if the improper batter had completed his/her at bat (out or reached base), only the defensive manager may now appeal an out-of-turn batter. |
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Answer - Situation 13 - 7.09(m) No one is out. The ball is alive and in play. Once the ball gets by or through the infielder and no other infielder has a chance to make the play and the runner does not intentionally kick the ball, the ball is alive and in play. |
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Answer - Situation 14 - 3.16 The play stands. Umpires try to call time when they can "prevent the pitch." In this case, there is no actual interference. |
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Answer - Situation 15 - 6.05(c)/2.00 Bunt The batter is not out. Since it was clearly not his/her intention to bunt the wild pitch, this is a foul ball. |
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Answer - Situation 16 - 7.08 (c) (1) If he/she had reached second safely, no further play can be made on him/her when a base is dislodged. The runner is not out. |
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Answer - Situation 17 - 2.00 Definition of ball. It is a base hit. A pitch that bounces can be hit. |
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Answer - Situation 18 - 8.06(a) Yes. The third trip to the same pitcher in the same inning causes that pitcher to be removed from the game. |
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Answer - Situation 19 - 3.05(b) The pitcher brought in to start the seventh must pitch to at least one batter. This later change would not be legal. |
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Answer - Situation 20 - 2.00 Since the pitcher had fielded the ball no obstruction or interference has occurred. This is considered a natural collision and the out stands. |
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Answer - Situation 21 - 6.05(m). No. The run counts but the batter is called out on strike three. |
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Answer - Situation 22 - 4.09(a). No run scores. The runner crossed the plate on a play in which the batter-runner made the third out BEFORE he/she touched first base. |
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Answer - Situation 23 - 2.00 Catch. No. The runner may tag up and advance the instant the first fielder touches the ball. |
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Answer - Situation 24 - 4.19. No. The out stands. The glove is removed from the game and the game continues. |
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Answer - Situation 25 - 7.04(b). This batter is out on the legal catch. However, once the fielder fell into the spectators, the ball becomes dead. The runner is awarded one base (home) since the fielder "fell" into a dead ball area. No double play. Keep in mind that had the fielder not fallen down amongst the spectators in dead ball territory, the ball would still be live and the runner could tag up and score even though the fielder is in a dead ball area. |
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Answer - Situation 26 - 6.05(m). No. The batter is declared out on strike three for the third out and the run does not count. |
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Answer - Situation 27 - Tried to sneak one in for you connoisseurs of scorekeeping. The batter is credited with a base hit! (But, the runner is out for interference and the ball is dead. The batter is awarded first base.) |
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Answer - Situation 28 - 7.08(a)/4.09(a)/7.05(a). This game is history. The runner is declared out for the second out because he/she "abandoned the bases" but the batter-runner legally scored the winning run with two outs. |
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Answer - Situation 29 - 4.09(a). The run counts. It scored before the third out was made. The third out was not a force out since the batter had been retired. |
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Answer - Situation 30 - 9.02(a). Base runners must be alert that a reversed call may be made, the ball is in play and this runner is out. Double play. |
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