The Baseball Rule When A Batted Ball Hits A Runner

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  Everyone could have seen it on Television or in the stadiums when watching baseball games. A baseball can hit players, while some dodge balls hit directly at them. These players are baserunners most of the time. Most of them avoid this out of instinct, but the chances of a baserunner being hit by a batted ball while running the bases are very high. However, it is rare for a baserunner to be hit by a batted ball, but when this happens, it is easy to wonder what happens to them or what are the rules when a batted ball hits a baserunner in a baseball match. Let us look at some rules when a batted ball hits a player. Here we will see about The Baseball Rule When A Batted Ball Hits A Runner 

The Baseball Rule When A Batted Ball Hits A Runner

There will be two possible plays when a ball hits a player when they are in fair territory. The play stops and is ruled a dead ball, the runner is then sent out, the batter gets a single, while the defender closest to the play will get a putout. However, there are other exceptions put to the rule where the runners are also allowed to go to the next base, bringing about the second scenario where a runner is safe even when hit by a live ball/batted ball. Let us now see how the rules apply when a baserunner finds themselves in these two scenarios.

The Baseball Rule When A Batted Ball Hits A Runner

  1. Scenarios when a player is out after being hit by a live ball/batted ball

It is rare to see a baserunner being hit by a live ball. The most common thing to happen, if a player is hit by a batted ball is that the runner is out while the batters get a single.

  • When a fair ball touches the player before the infielder makes a play

If a fair ball touches a baserunner before an infielder player makes a play on the ball, it is ruled as interrupted on the baserunner. The ball will be regarded as dead. The batter, on the other hand, will be gifted a single, the baserunner is out, and the closest defender is given a putout.

  • When a player intentionally interferes with a batted baseball it will result in an out.

In a baseball match, it is taken to be illegal whenever a player interferes with a batted ball without taking caution. However, emotions and game pressures might lead to players intentionally interfering with a batted ball in play.

When a runner intentionally interferes with a batted ball in the event of trying to stop a double play, the ball would be ruled dead, and both the runner and the batter would be out, the batter moving out because of the action taken by their teammate.

If as a batter-runner you interfered with a ball with full intent and tried to break a double play, you will be out together with the runner who had advanced closer to home because of your actions.

  • A scenario where you play as an infielder and then make a play on the ball, then it touches the runner but there was another player who was in a position able to make a play on that ball.

When this happens, the play would be dead, the runner is out due to interference, the batter awarded a single, and the player closest to the play would be given a putout.

Scenarios when a player is safe after being hit by a live ball/batted ball

There are a few occasions where a player hit by a batted ball would not be out and is considered safe. Let us look at some of these exempted scenarios.

  • If you are playing as an infielder then you make a play, and the ball from the play touches a runner when there is no other player able to make a play on the ball you played.

When this scenario occurs, the runner is safe because there is no other player who could make a play on the ball. The interference is of low significance to gameplay. Then the game would continue through the defense.

  • When a fair ball deflects off an infielder then hits a baserunner

When an infielder deflects a ball, then it hits a baserunner, the baserunner is not out, and play can continue through the defense, which needs to field the ball to make a play.

  • When a baserunner is hit by a batted ball when standing in the foul territory

If a batter bats a ball, it hits a baserunner standing in the foul territory. The play is a foul ball, the runner will not be out, and the runner will be safe. The batter is then awarded another round to batt the baseball.

  • When a baserunner is hit by a live ball when standing on base during an infield fly

It is believed that many baseball fans have never seen this scenario. But it is included in the rules outlined in the MLB rulebook. It is rare. When this situation occurs, the rule states that the runner will be safe, but the batter will be out because the infield fly rules show that they should be out.

  • If two baserunners are hit by a batted baseball, the second one would be safe.

Another rare situation to occur in a baseball game is this one, but the rule is there in the official MLB rulebook. When the batted ball hits two baserunners, the second runner would be safe while the first runner will be the one who would be out, the play will be dead and all the runners are required to go back to the base where they were located before the play.

Conclusion

When a batted ball hits a base runner some rule are followed in a baseball match. Two scenarios occur and a runner can be out or be safe and play continues. A runner will be out if a fair ball hit them before a player playing as an infielder makes the play if the runner interferes with a batted ball with full intent, and when an infielder makes a play on the ball and it touches the runner when another player could have a chance of playing the ball. There are also other scenarios when a batted ball hits a runner but they are safe.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • When is a batter out when a batted ball hits a runner?

A batter will only be out if he hits a ball then hit a baserunner who was standing on the base at the time of an infield fly.

  • What happens when two runners are hit by a butted ball?

When two runners are hit, the rule states that the first runner is the one to be sent out.

  • Where are the baseball game rules written?

You can find the baseball rules in the official MLB rulebook.

The Baseball Rule When A Batted Ball Hits A Runner
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