YOU MAKE THE CALL!

By USSSA Umpire, Ron Womack


(NOTE: BR = Batter Runner, R1 = Runner on 1st, R2 = runner on 2nd)

 

The runner on second (R-2) is stealing when the pitch is thrown. But the pitcher balks during his delivery, throws the ball anyway, and hits the batter. 

 

Under USSSA rules (which mirror Official Baseball Rules), where would the batter and the runner end up?

  1. A) The batter is awarded 1st base and R-2 is awarded 3rd base.
  2. B) The batter is awarded 1st base and R-2 is returned to 2nd base on the dead ball.
  3. C) The balk is ignored since R-2 was stealing and the batter is awarded 1st base.
  4. D) R-2 is awarded 3rd base and the batter must go back to the plate.

 

Scroll down for answer......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D is the correct answer. In order to ignore the balk, the batter and R-2 must advance on the pitch according to the rules. In our scenario only the batter would have advanced when the dead ball struck the batter, therefore the balk is enforced, R-2 gets third, and the batter returns to the plate on a “no-pitch” call.