Is a runner out if a batted ball hits him?
A fair ball that hits a runner in fair territory before it gets past an infielder is an out. The ball is dead, and the batter gets first. Once it's by the infielders, or off one of their gloves, we usually play on.
Runner on second, no outs. A sharp grounder goes up the middle, skips past the pitcher and hits the runner in the leg as he breaks for third.
Half the field freezes, and the other half yells that he’s out. So who’s right? Both of them are, but there’s more to it than that…
The runner is out. A fair batted ball that touches a runner in fair territory before it has touched or passed an infielder is interference. It doesn’t matter that it was an accident — or that he was trying to get out of the way. The ball is dead, and no one advances on the play.
The batter gets first base, and he’s credited with a single. I think that’s the part most people don’t expect. Other runners move up only if they’re forced.
Standing on the base doesn’t save him, either. A runner hit by a fair ball while he’s touching second is still out. There’s one exception to that: An infield fly. If the runner is on his base when an infield fly hits him, he’s fine.
It changes once the ball gets by an infielder. If the grounder goes through or past the shortstop and hits the runner right behind him, there’s no interference, and the ball stays live. The catch is that no other infielder can have had a chance to make a play on it. Getting past the pitcher alone doesn’t protect the runner if the shortstop still had a play, and that’s the umpire’s judgment.
A deflection is its own case. If the ball caroms off a fielder’s glove into the runner, that contact is an accident, and we play on. The runner is out only if he does something to the ball on purpose, or if another infielder still had a play on it.
Accident or not, it still costs us an out, and it usually kills a rally.
Which rulebook? Official Baseball Rules 5.09(b)(7) and 5.06(c)(6). NFHS 8-4-2k and Little League 7.08(f) match. Standing on the base doesn't protect the runner, except on an infield fly.
Runner on second, no outs. A ground ball hits him while he’s standing on the base. What’s the ruling?
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“Let the ball go by before you take off. If it hits you, you're out.”
Catcher’s interference: when the bat hits the mitt
When the bat hits the catcher's mitt during the swing, the batter gets first base. And if the play worked out better for the offense, the coach can take that instead.
“Umpires miss it, and a lot of players don't know to ask.”
Is a bobble an error if the runner would’ve been safe?
If the runner would have been safe even on a clean play, it's a hit. It often looks like an error, but the fielder was usually rushing because he had little or no chance anyway.
“Look at first base before you write down an E.”
The rules quiz
Ten questions, two minutes. Would you have gotten the call right?
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