Covering All the Bases

If you've been reading my blog, you know I like to make lists and tables to summarize rules.  It's how I studied for tests when I was in school.  It helps me to reduce a lot of material into bite sized morsels that I can memorize.

So, rather than being overwhelmed by the many rules which involve awarding bases to baserunners, I've compiled these notes.

Awarding Bases

 

From Time of PITCH

• AWARD 1B to BR and 1 BASE to forced runners
• Walk (remains live)
• HBP or Interference by runner or umpire (dead ball)
• Catcher's Interference/Obstruction (delayed dead; offense may accept play)
• 1 BASE
• Catcher's Interference/Obstruction (runners attempting to steal)
• Pitch into DBT
• Pitch lodges in catcher's or umpire's uniform/equipment
• Pitch strikes runner stealing home
• 2 BASES
• Ground rule double (batted ball bounds out of play)
• Batted or thrown ball lodges in fielder's or umpire's uniform/equipment
  (NCAA exception: Award bases on JUDGMENT by rule 8.3(l).)
• First throw by infielder* goes into DBT

From Time of THROW

• 1 BASE
• Throw from pitcher's plate goes into DBT
• 2 BASES
• Throw from fielder (except first throw by infielder*) goes into DBT

From Time of INFRACTION

• 1 BASE
• Balk
• Catch and carry into DBT
• Ball lodges in runner's uniform/equipment
  (NCAA exception: Award bases on JUDGMENT by rule 8.3(l).)
• Pitch deliberately touched by fielder's detached or illegal equipment
  (NFHS exception: 2 BASES by rule 8-3-3 Case L)
• 2 BASES
• Throw deliberately touched by fielder's detached or illegal equipment
• 3 BASES
• Potentially fair batted ball deliberately touched by fielder's detached or illegal equipment (or 4 BASES if prevented from going over fence)
• JUDGMENT
• Spectator interference
• Obstruction of runner (at least 1 BASE)
• Malicious contact by defense

* If BR and all runners have already advanced 1 base before the first throw by an infielder, then award is 2 BASES from time of THROW