FanPost

Baseball Rules 101 #16 (With Quiz's Answer)

OK, so you're likely not to see this one ever in a game, but here goes.

Runner on third, bottom of the ninth, two outs, tie game, full count on the batter.  The pitcher has a slow wind up and just as he begins, the runner from third breaks for home.  The batter steps back one step (but leaves a foot in the box) and the runner slides in.  As the runner is sliding across the plate, the pitch hits him in the helmet.  The umpire determines the pitch to be a strike, and rules STRIKE THREE.

What happens next?

After 49 votes, basically 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, I'm posting this hint (which will either help you or trick you): There is NO INTERFERENCE ruled on this play because the runner has a right to the basepath, and clearly stealing home and sliding in is within his right.

ANSWER: With 111 votes in, 31 correctly responded to the THIRD CHOICE ?The ball is dead. The run does not score, and the inning is over on Strike Three?

Here?s the reasoning in order. Once a pitched ball hits a runner (or batter) the ball is immediately dead, although it?s not interference. Since there were two strikes and the umpire determines this to be strike three, the batter is automatically out. Since you can?t ever score a run when the third out is made on the batter before he reaches first base, the run does not count, regardless of whether or not the runner crossed the plate first.

Consequently, if there had been less than two out, the ball would be dead, the batter would be out, and the run would be permitted to score. The rule can be found under section 6.05 (n).

Thanks to all for voting!