Fairfax Adult Softball
2011
Umpire Training
Rule 8 - Batter-Runner and Runner
Rule 8
Batter-Runner
and
Runner
B
= Batter – while
in the batter’s box
BR = Batter-Runner
st
– before securing 1
R
= Runner
B Becomes a BR
 B legally hits a fair ball
 Walked on 4 balls
 Catcher obstruction
 Fair batted ball strikes a runner OR
their attached equipment or clothing
Walks
 Dead ball and runners advance, if forced
 Walked males in coed are awarded 2nd base (still must
touch 1st base (defense can appeal))
 Female has option to walk or bat if there are 2 outs
 Intentional walks:
 Defense can notify the umpire of their intent to walk
the batter
 Batter is awarded 1st base
 If 2 batters are to be walked back-to-back, the 2nd
walk may not be administered until the 1st walked
batter touches 1st base
 If the umpire allows both walks at the same time, an
appeal is not honored on the 1st batter if he misses
1st base.
With R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B,
and R3 on 1B, B4
receives ball four. R1 fails
to touch home plate. Can
R1 be declared out on a
proper appeal?
With R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B, and R3 on
1B, B4 receives ball four. R1 fails to
touch home plate. Can R1 be declared
out on a proper appeal?
Yes, since B4 became the BR on ball
four, all bases must be touched
because a force out situation exists.
Catcher Obstruction
 Catcher “obstructs” B’s attempt to hit the ball:
 If B hits the ball and is safe at 1st base, AND all
runners have advanced at least one base,
obstruction is cancelled.
 If B hits the ball and is NOT safe at 1st base, OR all
runners have not advanced at least one base, the
offense is given the option of taking the result of the
play, or enforcing obstruction by awarding the
batter first base and advancing all runners, if forced.
 If the catcher steps on or in front of home plate
without the ball and prevents B from hitting the ball,
B is awarded 1st base and all other runners
advance 1 base, if forced
With R1 on 2B, the
catcher obstructed B2
who hits a fly ball to
left field and safely
reaches 2B when the
throw is made to third
base retiring R1 at
third base.
With R1 on 2B, the catcher obstructed B2
who hits a fly ball to left field and safely
reaches 2B when the throw is made to third
base retiring R1 at third base.
The obstruction penalty is invoked and the
offensive manager has the option of taking
the result of the play, or enforcing
obstruction by awarding the batter 1st base
and returning R1 to 2nd base.
INTERFERENCE
If a fair batted ball strikes an umpire or runner OR
their attached equipment or clothing, you could
have:
INTERFERENCE
The act of an Offensive Player that impedes,
hinders, or confuses a defensive player
attempting to execute a play (e.g. physical
contact, verbal distraction, visual distraction, etc.)
Contact is not necessary.
A Fair Ball Strikes . . .
If a fair batted ball strikes an umpire or runner OR
their attached equipment or clothing and:
After touching any fielder including the Pitcher
Live ball
After passing a fielder other than the pitcher and no Live ball
other fielder had an opportunity to make an out
Before passing a fielder other than the pitcher and
contacts a runner off the base
INTERFERENCE
• Dead ball
• Out – Runner struck is out
• BR is awarded 1st base
• Runners advance, if forced
• If not forced, Runners return
to the base reached prior to
the interference
A Fair Ball Strikes . . . (cont’d)
If a fair batted ball strikes the umpire/runner OR
their attached equipment or clothing and:
After passing a fielder and another
fielder has the opportunity to make an
out
INTERFERENCE
• Dead ball
• Runner is out
• BR is awarded 1st base
• Runners advance, if forced
• Runners return to the base reached
prior to the interference , if not forced
Touches a runner on the base
• Runner is NOT out
• Ball is live OR dead, depending on the
position of the fielder closest to the
base
–Live if fielder is positioned in front of base
–Dead if fielder is positioned behind base.
A Fair Ball Strikes . . . (cont’d)
If a fair batted ball strikes the umpire/runner OR
their attached equipment or clothing and:
Contacts an umpire before
passing a fielder other than the
pitcher
Only in a two-man system used in
FAS for tournament play only.
•
•
•
•
Dead ball
BR is awarded 1st base
Runners advance, if forced
Runners return to the base
reached prior to the interference ,
if not forced
With R1 on 1B, B1 hits
a ground ball halfway
between 1st and 2nd
which hits the runner,
after the ball passed
the 1st baseman but
before it passed the 2nd
baseman who could
still make a play on the
ball.
With R1 on 1B, B hits a ground ball halfway
between 1st and 2nd which hits the runner,
after the ball passed the 1st baseman but
before it passed the 2nd baseman who could
still make a play for an out.
The ball is dead. The runner is out.
The BR is awarded first base.
Note: If the 1st baseman had no play on
the ball for an out, then the ball is live
and play continues.
BR is Out
 Put out prior to reaching 1st base
 Caught fly ball
 Enters the dugout before touching 1st base
EXCEPT – Home Run
 Runs outside the 3’ lane before 1st base and
interferes with the fielder taking a throw at 1st
base
EXCEPT – When throw coming from foul
territory, defense uses orange and BR can
use white
B1 hits a ground
ball to F4 who
throws to F3 in time
to retire B1, but B1
crashes into F3
causing F3 to drop
the ball.
B1 hits a ground ball to F4 who throws
to F3 in time to retire B1, but B1
crashes into F3 causing F3 to drop the
ball.
B1 is out, since F3 established a catch.
Dropping the ball as a result of the
contact is something that happened
after the out was made.
F3 has control of the
ball in their right
hand while lying on
the ground and
touches 1B with their
left hand prior to the
batter-runner
reaching 1B.
F3 has control of the ball in their right
hand while lying on the ground and
touches 1B with their left hand prior to
the batter-runner reaching 1B.
The batter-runner is out.
Note: If F3 touched the runner with his
left hand instead of the base, the
runner is safe.
BR is Out
BR Interference:
 Runs outside the 3 foot lane
 Interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball,
 Interferes with a fielder attempting to throw a ball,
 Gets in the way of a thrown ball while out of the batter’s
box,
 Makes contact with a fairly batted ball before reaching
1st base,
 Discarding their bat in the way of a defensive player.
In any of these examples, if the interference is an attempt to
prevent a double play, the runner closest to home plate
is also called out.
INTERFERENCE
BALL
IS
DEAD*
OUT
RUNNERS
RETURN TO BASE
LAST TOUCHED
AT TIME OF
INTERFERENCE.
* EXCEPTION: UMPIRE INTERFERENCE IS A DELAYED DEAD BALL
Umpire’s Handling of
Interference
DEAD BALL !!!
ASA
• Immediate DEAD BALL
 Both hands high in the air
in front of the body
 Interfering Player is
ALWAYS OUT
 Other players can be out or
must return to bases
Umpire’s Handling of
Interference
DEAD BALL !!!
ASA
– The umpire must determine if the
interference occurred before or after
the runner who interfered was put out
and then apply the appropriate rule.
– If before: the runner is out and the
immediate trailing runner is also out;
– If after: the runner is out and the
runner closest to home is also out.
– All other runners return to the last
base touched at time of interference.
Umpire’s Handling of
Interference
DEAD BALL !!!
ASA
• Runner interference on a
deflected ball
– Must be deemed intentional
– The defensive player must have
an opportunity to make an OUT
– Ball is DEAD, runner is OUT, all
other runners return.
B1 hits the ball and it settles
in the middle of the
plate. F2 throws the ball
to 1B and hits B1:
a) In the left shoulder as B1
is straddling the foul line
over fair territory and
more than half way to 1B,
b) On the right shoulder and
B1 is completely inside
the three foot lane,
c) In the first thirty feet
between home and 1B.
B1 hits the ball and it settles in the middle of the
plate. F2 throws the ball to 1B and hits B1:
a) In the left shoulder as B1 is straddling the foul line
over fair territory and more than half way to 1B,
b) On the right shoulder and B1 is completely inside
the three foot lane,
c) In the first thirty feet between home and 1B.
In (a), B1 is out and the ball is dead.
In (b) and (c), B1 is not out and the ball
remains live.
BR is Out
 BR interferes with a play at home, the BR
and the runner are both OUT
 When the batter-runner steps back toward
home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a
fielder.
 Intentionally dropped ball (unless a fielder
actually caught a ball and then dropped it,
there is no intentional dropped ball.)
Interference
 If a spectator interferes with the defense
attempting to catch a fly ball:
Dead ball,
BR is out, and
All runners are awarded the bases they
would have reached.
R1 is on 3B. B2 hits a fair
ground ball to F3 who fields
the ball, and throws to F2 in
an attempt to retire R1. The
throw hits B2 in the hand
which he was waving as
a) he is running up the line
toward 1B, or
b) backing up toward home
plate to avoid F3’s tag.
R1 is on 3B. B2 hits a fair ground ball to F3 who
fields the ball, and throws to F2 in an attempt to
retire R1. The throw hits B2 in the hand which he
was waving as
a) he is running up the line toward 1B, or
b) backing up toward home plate to avoid F3’s tag.
(a) and (b) The ball is dead. This is
interference and both B2 and R1 are
out.
Note: If there were no runner on third, in
(b), the ball is dead and B2 is out.
Double 1st Base
 When a play is being made on the BR,
the defense MUST use the white portion
and the BR MUST use the orange portion.
 BR is OUT if they only touch the white
portion.
 The defense and the BR can use either
base when:
 A play is being made from foul territory, or
 An errant throw takes the defense off 1st
base into foul territory.
Double 1st Base
 When BR is rounding 1st base, they can touch
either the white or orange portion.
 When R is tagging up, they can touch either the
white or orange portion.
 If there is a force play at 1st base and BR
collides with the defense because they touched
only the white portion:
 Dead ball,
 BR is out, and
 All runners must return to the last base occupied at
the time of the interference.
Intentionally Dropping the Ball
When an infielder intentionally drops a fair
fly ball or line drive that could be caught with
ordinary effort with 1st, 1st & 2nd, 1st & 3rd, or
bases loaded with 1 or 2 outs . . .
 Dead ball.
 B is out.
 Runners return to their base at the time of
the pitch.
 Infield fly takes precedence over an
intentionally dropped ball.
Touching Bases in Legal Order
 When a runner must return to a base, the bases must be
touched in reverse order.
 Runner is out, if appealed.
 Not on a foul ball.
 2 runners cannot occupy the same base.
 Runner who first legally occupied the base is entitled,
unless forced to advance.
 2nd runner can be tagged by the defense.
 If runner is on base when a home run is hit, they DO NOT
have to advance; they may go from the base directly to the
dugout.
With 2 outs and R1
on 2B, R2 on 1B, B5
hits a double and
both R1 and R2
score. R1 misses 3B,
but returns to 3B just
before an appeal is
made.
With 2 outs and R1 on 2B, R2 on 1B,
B5 hits a double and both R1 and R2
score. R1 misses 3B, but returns to 3B
just before an appeal is made.
Since R1 may not return to 3B after a
following runner, R2, scores, R1 is
out on the appeal and both runs are
nullified.
Runners CAN Be Put Out
 Thrown ball or fair batted ball not blocked
 Caught fly ball
 When the ball is live or on awarded
bases, the runner fails to touch a base
before attempting to make the next base
(upon appeal)
 After overrunning first base, the runner
attempt to continue to second base.
Runners CAN Be Put Out
 Live ball:
 Hits an umpire or runner AFTER passing a
fielder other than the pitcher and no other
fielder has the opportunity to make an out,
or
 Touched by any fielder and the runner did
not intentionally interfere with the ball or the
fielder attempting to field the ball.
 When a live ball becomes lodged in a
defensive player’s uniform or equipment
R1 is on 1B and B2
hits a line drive that
ricochets off F4’s
glove to F9, who
catches it. R1 leaves
1B for 2B after F4
touched the ball, but
before F9 caught the
ball.
R1 is on 1B and B2 hits a line drive that
ricochets off F4’s glove to F9, who
catches it. R1 leaves 1B for 2B after
F4 touched the ball, but before F9
caught the ball.
B2 is out on the catch and this is a
legal advance by R1.
Runners CAN NOT Be Put Out
 Forced to advance because of a walk or dead
ball base award
 When a fielder without the ball obstructs the
progress of an R or BR
 If interference occurs after obstruction, the
interference trumps the obstruction
 Live ball is overthrown or blocked
 All runners are awarded 2 bases at the time of the
throw
 Spectator interference on a fair batted or thrown
ball (immediate dead ball)
Obstruction
The act of a defensive team member:
A. Who hinders or impedes a batter from striking at or
hitting a pitched ball.
B. Who, as a fielder, impedes the progress of a runner or
batter-runner who is legally running the bases unless the
fielder is:
1. In possession of the ball
2. In the act of fielding a batted ball
NOTE: Contact is not necessary to impede the progress of the runner.
Obstruction Notes
• Occurs by the defense and signaled with
delayed dead ball signal.
• An obstructed runner may NOT be called out
between the 2 bases where obstructed.
• If put out prior to reaching the base which would
have been reached, a dead ball is called and all
runners awarded where they would have
obtained without the obstruction, based on
judgment of umpire .
• A fake tag is a form of obstruction and could be
cause for ejection from the game.
OBSTRUCTION
• FIELDER MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF THE BALL
TO BLOCK A BASE:
• As one coach so aptly stated, after this ruling was
approved, Rather than teach to block the base, catch the
ball, and then apply the tag, I will now have to teach to
catch the ball, block the base and then apply the tag.
Obstruction should be ruled if the fielder blocks the base
without the ball.
Runners CAN NOT Be Put Out
When a fielder intentionally contacts or catches a fair
batted, thrown, or pitched ball with any part of the
uniform or equipment that is detached from its proper
place:
Batted Ball (that would have gone
over the fence for a home run)
4 base award to BR
Batted Ball
3 base award to BR at the time of the
pitch
Thrown Ball
2 base award to BR at the time of the
throw
Pitched Ball
1 base award to BR at the time of the
pitch
Runners CAN NOT Be Put Out
 Fielder loses possession of the ball and the ball
leaves live ball territory or becomes blocked
 All runners are awarded 1 base at the time the ball
left live ball territory
 If a fair ball:
 Bounces over, rolls under, or goes through the
fence,
 Deflects off a fielder and goes out of play in foul
territory, or
 Deflects off a runner or umpire and goes out of play
in foul territory.
Then, dead ball and all runners are awarded 2
bases at the time of the pitch.
Runners CAN NOT Be Put Out
 If a fielder UNINTENTIONALLY carries a
live ball out of live ball territory:
 Dead ball and all runners are awarded 1
base at the time the fielder left live ball
territory.
 If a fielder INTENTIONALLY carries a live
ball out of live ball territory:
 Dead ball and all runners are awarded 2
bases at the time the fielder left live ball
territory.
With R1 on 3B and R2
on 2B, R1 is caught
between 3B and home in
a run down on an infield
hit by B3. As R1 is
attempting to regain 3B,
F5 obstructs R1 and
then tags R1 out. R2
was standing on 3B at
the time of the
obstruction.
With R1 on 3B and R2 on 2B, R1 is caught
between 3B and home in a run down on an
infield hit by B3. As R1 is attempting to
regain 3B, F5 obstructs R1 and then tags R1
out. R2 was standing on 3B at the time of
the obstruction.
The umpire should call “dead ball”
and rule obstruction. R1 should be
awarded 3B, R2 is returned to 2B
and B3 should be on 1B.
F2 is standing in
the path of R1,
awaiting the throw
from F8. R1 runs
into F2 before the
ball arrives. F2
retrieves the ball
and tags the
runner out.
F2 is standing in the path of R1,
awaiting the throw from F8. R1
runs into F2 before the ball arrives.
F2 retrieves the ball and tags the
runner out.
Since F2 did not have possession of
the ball at the time of the contact,
obstruction is called, the ball is
ruled dead and R1 is awarded home.
A Runner Must Return to
Their Base
After each pitch
Foul ball
Illegally batted ball
Interference is called
Intentionally dropped ball
The Runner is OUT
 Runner is off the base and tagged by a
fielder.
 Out of the base path to avoid being
tagged by a fielder.
 Force play.
 ANY offensive team member (other than
the runner) physically assists a runner.
 If physically passes a preceding runner
before that runner has been called out.
The Runner is OUT
 Runner does not tag up:
 Thrown to the base or
 Proper appeal.
 Runner fails to touch the bases in order:
 Thrown to the base or
 Proper appeal.
 BR attempts to advance to 2nd base after
overrunning 1st base and is tagged off the
base.
The Runner is OUT
 Runner misses the base and the defense
properly appeals.
 Runner interferes with:




Fielder attempting to field a batted ball,
Fielder attempting to throw a ball,
Thrown ball, or
Defensive player (INTENTIONALLY)
attempting to field a deflected ball
 Runner is hit with a batted ball while off
the base.
The Runner is OUT
 Runner INTENTIONALLY kicks a fair ball
the fielder missed.
 3rd base coach runs in the direction of
home plate while the fielder is attempting
to make a play and draws a throw home.
 Runner closest to home is out.
 Offensive team member(s) collect(s)
around a base that a runner is advancing
to in an attempt to confuse the defense.
 Runner closest to home is out.
The Runner is OUT
 Coach INTENTIONALLY interferes with
the defense attempting to make a play.
 Runner closest to home is out.
 Runner declared out or just scored
interferes with the defense attempting to
make a play.
 Runner remains upright and collides into
the fielder with the ball.
 Runner fails to keep in contact with the
base until a pitched ball is batted or hits
the ground or home plate.
The Runner is OUT
 Runner leaves the base and enters the
dugout.
 Runner is positioned behind and not in
contact with a base to get a running start
on a fly ball.
 Runner leaves under the Shorthanded
Rule.
 Batter has an illegal or non-approved bat.
Batter also ejected and remains out in
line-up.
With one out, R1 on 3B and
R2 on 2B, B4 hits a fly ball to
F7 who catches the ball. R1
leaves 3B before the ball is
touched by F7 who then
throws the ball into the stands
in an attempt to retire R1 at
home. R2 has reached 3B on
F7’s throw and the umpire
awards R2 home. After all play
is completed, F5 appeals to
the umpire that R1 left 3B
early.
With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on 2B, B4 hits a fly
ball to F7 who catches the ball. R1 leaves 3B
before the ball is touched by F7 who then throws
the ball into the stands in an attempt to retire R1 at
home. R2 has reached 3B on F7’s throw and the
umpire awards R2 home. After all play is
completed, F5 appeals to the umpire that R1 left
3B early.
R1 is declared out, and the runs
scored by both R1 and R2 are
cancelled.
The Runner is OUT
 Following an offensive conference, if
runners switch positions on the bases:
 Both runners are out
AND
 Coach/Manager is ejected.
With no outs and R1 on 2B,
R2 on 1B, B3 hits a high pop
foul between home and 1B
and the umpire yells “Infield
Fly..If Fair”. F3 loses sight
of the ball in the sun. The
ball lands on foul ground
without being touched and
rolls into fair territory halfway
between home and 1B. F1
picks up the ball and throws
to F4 covering 1B, who tags
R2 while off the base.
With no outs and R1 on 2B, R2 on 1B, B3 hits a
high pop foul between home and 1B and the
umpire yells “Infield Fly..If Fair”. F3 loses sight
of the ball in the sun. The ball lands on foul
ground without being touched and rolls into fair
territory halfway between home and 1B. F1
picks up the ball and throws to F4 covering 1B,
who tags R2 while off the base.
Since the umpire rules this an infield
fly, B3 is out. R2 is out for being
tagged off base.
The Runner is SAFE
 Runner tries to avoid interference with a
fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
 Runner tries to avoid a fielder who is in
the base path without the ball.
 If two fielders attempt to field a ball and
the runner contacts the fielder that could
not have made the play.
The Runner is SAFE
 Runner is hit with a batted ball after
passing a fielder, but not the pitcher, and
no other fielder has the opportunity to
make a play.
 Runner is hit with a fair untouched batted
ball over foul territory.
 Runner is hit with a touched batted ball
and could not avoid contact.
With no outs and R1 on
2B, B3 hits a ground ball
to F6 who muffs the ball.
In (a) the ball remains in
front of F6 and they are
still able to make an out,
or (b) the ball goes over
F6’s shoulder. In both
cases, R1 hits F6
unintentionally and
continues to 3B safely.)
With no outs and R1 on 2B, B3 hits a ground ball to
F6 who muffs the ball. In (a) the ball remains in
front of F6 and they are still able to make an out, or
(b) the ball goes over F6’s shoulder. In both
cases, R1 hits F6 unintentionally and continues to
3B safely.)
In (a) if F6 can still make an out, the
umpire should call a dead ball and rule
interference. In (b) F6 is no longer
fielding the ball and is guilty of
obstruction. Since R1 advanced safely to
3B, the obstruction is ignored.
The Runner is SAFE
 Runner is touched off the base:
 Ball is not securely held by the fielder, or
 Ball is in the “other” hand.
 Defense misses their opportunity to
appeal.
 BR overruns 1st base and returns directly
to 1st base.
 Runner is not given sufficient time to
return to the base.
The Runner is SAFE
 Legal tag up.
 Hit by a batted ball while on the base
(unless INTENTIONAL).
 Runner slides and dislodges a base (the
base stays with the runner).
 Runner returns to a base missed or not
tagged up properly.
With R1 on 3B, B2 hits
a ball that strikes 3B
and then caroms to
foul territory where it
strikes R1, who is
advancing off 3B. F5
had no opportunity to
make an out.
With R1 on 3B, B2 hits a ball that
strikes 3B and then caroms to foul
territory where it strikes R1, who is
advancing off 3B. F5 had no
opportunity to make an out.
R1 is safe and the ball remains live.
Courtesy Runners (CR)
 One PLAYER per half inning may have a
courtesy runner and as often as that player
requires during each half Any player on the
roster may be used as a CR.
 A CR is officially in the game when they touch
the base.
 If a CR’s turn at bat comes while on base, they
will be out on the base and will bat.
Courtesy Runners
For Coed and Corporate Coed:
 Males can run for males.
 Females can run for females OR males.
 A CR may be used for one male runner
AND one female runner each half inning.
For Seniors:
 Unlimited CRs each half inning.
 If a runner is replaced by a CR, they cannot
be a CR for the remainder of the inning.
Courtesy Runners
For Women’s Slow Pitch:
 Two (2) courtesy runners are allowed each half
inning.
For Women’s Fast Pitch:
 Unlimited courtesy runners per inning will be allowed
for pitchers, catchers, pregnant players, and any
player injured during the course of the game.
 The courtesy runner will be the person who made the
last out in the current inning; or for the first batter of
an inning, the last out of the previous inning; or
someone not in the batting lineup.
With no outs, R1 on
2B, and a CR runs
for R1. B4 flies out
for the 1st out; B5
hits a single and is
on 1B, B6 strikes
out for the 2nd out.
B7 is to come to
bat, but is the CR
at 2B.
With no outs, R1 on 2B, and a CR runs
for R1. B4 flies out for the 1st out; B5
hits a single and is on 1B, B6 strikes out
for the 2nd out. B7 is to come to bat, but
is the CR at 2B.
CR/B7 is called out at 2B resulting in
the third out, and will lead off the
next inning.