Is a runner out if a thrown ball hits him?
No. The ball stays live and he keeps running, and he's out only if he got in the way of the throw on purpose.
The runner is going from first to third. The right fielder’s throw hits him square in the back and rolls into the infield, and the other dugout is screaming for an out.
He isn’t out. Keep playing.
A runner who gets hit by a thrown ball is not out. The ball stays live. He can keep going, the fielders can keep playing, and wherever the ball ends up is where it is. Getting hit by a throw is just bad luck, and nothing in the rulebook makes it a violation.
The only way he’s out is if he does it on purpose. Maybe he sticks out an arm, jumps into the ball or veers to take one off the shoulder. If the runner deliberately gets in the way of a throw like that, it’s interference. He’s out, the ball is dead and the other runners go back. But the umpire has to see intent. A runner who’s running the bases in a normal way and gets drilled isn’t doing anything wrong, even if the throw was going to get him.
Why do so many people get this wrong? I think they’re mixing it up with the batted-ball rule. A runner hit by a fair batted ball before it passes a fielder is out, with no intent needed (that’s this card).
The exception people are usually thinking of is the batter running to first outside the running lane and getting hit by the catcher’s throw. That one IS an out, but not because a throw hit him. He’s out because he was out of the lane and interfered with the play at first. I cover it on the running lane card. Take away the lane rule — and the interference — and he’s just a runner with a welt.
If the throw goes out of play after it hits him, it’s the same award as any other overthrow. On this play, an outfielder’s throw, that’s two bases from where he was when the throw left the fielder’s hand. On the first play by an infielder, it’s two bases from where he was when the pitch was thrown, unless every runner, including the batter, had already moved up a base. Hitting the runner doesn’t change the award (the overthrow card has the details).
We need our fielders throwing around runners, not through them. And if you’re a runner, don’t duck, because ducking is how you get hit in the head. Has a play like this ever turned into a shouting match at one of your games?
Which rulebook? Official Baseball Rules 6.01(a)(10): a runner is out for interference only when he intentionally interferes with a thrown ball. Otherwise the ball is live. NFHS 8-4-2g adds that the interference has to hinder the play. The batted-ball rule, where contact alone is an out, is 5.09(b)(7) and a different card.
A runner is going first to third on a single. The right fielder’s throw hits him in the back and rolls away. He was just running the bases. What’s the ruling?
Still have a question? Ask Coach Fungo.
“Keep running. Let the fielders worry about where the throw goes.”
Can a fielder block the base without the ball?
In high school and at Perfect Game events, a fielder can't block the base without the ball, period. USSSA and Little League allow it when the throw brings him there, but not when he sets up and waits.
“Get the ball first, then go get the base.”
Appeal play: missed bases and early tag-ups
A runner who misses a base or leaves early on a tag-up isn't out until the defense appeals. We have to do it the right way, and we have to do it before the next pitch.
“The whole park saw him miss second. If you don't appeal before the next pitch, it never happened.”
The rules quiz
Ten questions, two minutes. Would you have gotten the call right?
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