Myth #19: The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base.
The bases are in fair territory. A runner is out when hit by a fair batted ball while touching a base, except when hit by an infield-fly or after the ball has passed a fielder and no other fielder had a play on the ball.
If the runner is touching first or third, he/she is not out unless the ball touches him over fair territory. If one foot is on the base and the other is in foul ground and he/she is hit on the foul ground foot, he/she is not out. It is a foul ball. Does this mean that a runner must vacate a base when the ball is about to hit them? No – if the runner can show that they are trying to get out of the way of the fielder and still maintain touch with the bag – and they do not interfere with the fielding of the ball, the runner can maintain touch with the bag. Again, you must have interference in order to call interference.
LL Playing Rules: 5.09(f), 7.08(f)
Myth #20: A runner may not steal on a foul tip.
There is nothing foul about a foul tip. If the ball nicks the bat and goes to the catcher's glove or hand and is caught, this is a foul tip by definition. A foul tip is a strike and the ball is live. It is the same as a swing-and-miss. If the ball is not caught, it is a foul ball.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FOUL TIP, STRIKE (g)
Myth #21: It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
A force play is when a runner is forced to advance because the batter became a runner. When the batter is out on a caught fly, all forces are removed. An out, on a failure to tag-up, is NOT a force out. Any runs, that cross the plate before this out, will count.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FORCE PLAY, 4.09 (a) Approved Ruling
Myth #22: An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out.
A runner must touch all the bases. If the runner misses a base to which he/she was forced because the batter became a runner and is put out before touching that base, the out is still a force play. If this is the third out, no runs may score. The base can be touched or the runner can be touched, either way it's a force out.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FORCE PLAY, TAG, 7.08(e), 7.10(b)
Myth #23: A runner is out if he/she runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball.
The runner MUST avoid a fielder attempting to field a BATTED ball. A runner is out for running out of the baseline, only when attempting to avoid a tag. The baseline is established on a runner when a play is being made on that runner. It is not simply a straight line between each base.
LL Playing Rules: 7.08(a)(1), 7.09(L)
Myth #24: Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
An Infield-fly is no different than any other fly ball in regard to the runners. The only difference is that they are never forced to advance because the batter is out whether the ball is caught or not. Runners can advance at their own risk.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: INFIELD FLY, 6.05(d), 7.10(a)
Myth #25: No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up.
Yes it can. A tag up is not a force play. A force play is when a runner is forced to advance because the batter became a runner. When the batter is out on a caught fly, all forces are removed. An out, on a failure to tag-up, is NOT a force out. Any runs, that cross the plate before this out, will count.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FORCE PLAY, 4.09 Approved Ruling, 7.10(a)
Myth #26: A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit.
A pitch is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. It doesn't matter how it gets to the batter. The batter may hit any pitch that is thrown legally. A pitch that bounces before reaching the plate may never be a “called” strike or a legally caught third strike. If a batter swings and misses at a ball that bounced before reaching the plate, it shall be a strike (swinging strike).
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: PITCH, STRIKE (a)
The Right Call – Casebook of Little League Baseball (2004): Page 9 Comment on Definition of In Flight
Myth # 27: The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
A pitch is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. It doesn't matter how it gets to the batter, if it is a legally pitched ball. If the batter is hit by a pitch (even if it bounces before it reaches him/her), while attempting to avoid it, he/she is awarded first base (of course, as long as they haven’t swung at it).
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: PITCH, 6.08(b)
The Right Call – Casebook of Little League Baseball (2004): Page 9 Comment on Definition of In Flight
Myth # 28: If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2 seconds it's a catch.
A catch is legal when the umpire judges that the fielder has COMPLETE control of the ball. The release of the ball must be voluntary and intentional.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: 2.00 CATCH
The Right Call – Casebook of Little League Baseball (2004): Page 7, Play 2-1 Ruling, Play 2-2 Ruling
Myth # 29: You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal.
You can tag a base with ANY part of the body.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FORCE PLAY, PERSON, TAG, 7.08(e)
Myth # 30: The ball is always immediately dead on a balk (applies to Junior, Senior and Big League)
If a throw or pitch is made after the balk call, the ball is delayed dead. At the end of the play the balk may be enforced, or not, depending on what happened. On a throw, if ALL runners advance on the play, the balk is ignored. If not, the balk award is enforced from the time of pitch. On a pitch (ball four), if ALL runners INCLUDING the batter advance on the play, the balk is ignored. Otherwise, it is no-pitch and the balk award is made from the time of the pitch.
LL Playing Rules: 8.05 Junior/Senior/Big League Penalty
Myth # 31: If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
The position of the player's feet or any other part of the body is irrelevant. A ball is judged fair or foul based on the relationship between the ball and the ground at the time the ball is touched by the fielder.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: FAIR BALL, FOUL BALL Note (1)
Myth # 32: The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made.
An appeal may be made anytime the ball is live. The only time the ball must go to the pitcher is when time is out. The ball cannot be made live until the pitcher has the ball while on the rubber and the umpire says, "Play." The only reason the ball is going back to the pitcher is so that the umpire can put the ball back in play – which has nothing to do with the appeal process. If time is not out, the appeal can be made immediately.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms: APPEAL, 5.11, 7.10
Myth # 33: The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw. (Juniors, Seniors, Big League)
The pitcher is required to come to a complete stop in the Set position before delivering the pitch, not before making a throw to a base.
LL Playing Rules: 8.05(m)
2004 LL RIM: Instructor’s Comments: In Juniors, Seniors and Big League, the pitcher may step and throw anytime during the stretch.
Myth # 34: The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw.
If the pitcher steps off the rubber he/she is no longer the pitcher, he/she is a fielder. He/she can throw to a base from the rubber, provided he/she does not break any of the rules under rule 8.05
LL Playing Rules: 8.01(c) (e)
Myth # 35: If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a homerun.
As long as the fielder is not touching the ground in dead ball territory when he/she catches the ball, it is a legal catch if he/she holds onto the ball and meets the definition of a catch. If the catch is not the third out and the fielder falls down in dead ball territory after catching the ball, all runners are awarded one base. If the fielder remains on his feet in dead ball territory after the catch, the ball is live and he/she may make a play.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 CATCH, 5.10(f) & Note, 6.05(a), 7.04(b)
Myth # 36: The ball is dead anytime the ball hits an umpire.
If a batted ball hits an umpire before it passes an infielder, the ball is dead (award first base to the batter and one base each to any runners that are forced). On any other batted or thrown ball, the ball is live when the umpire is hit with the ball. Umpire interference also occurs when the plate umpire interferes with the catcher's attempt to prevent a stolen base.
LL Playing Rules: 2.00 INTERFERENCE (c), 5.09(b), 5.09(f)
Myth # 37: The home plate umpire can overrule the other umps at anytime.
The umpire who made a call or ruling may ask for help if he/she wishes. No umpire may overrule another umpire's call. Specifically, no umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it. The only time one umpire can overrule another umpire is when two umpires have made different decisions on one play. In that case, the umpire in chief (plate umpire) shall make the final decision.
LL Playing Rules: 9.02(b) (c)
Myth # 38: A batter-runner may not slide into first base.
There are no restrictions on any runner, including the batter-runner, from sliding into any base, feet first, including first base. At the Major division and below, no runners may slide head first. At the Junior, Senior & Big League levels, head first sliding, at any base, is permitted.
Do you have a suggestion for a baseball rule myth? Please send your suggestion to JeffFrese.umpire@gmail.com