Case Plays: Ball Hits Bat Twice (Part 2)

This Case Play has been completed. Congratulations to UEFL League Members BrooklynUmp, kickersrule, MSN_UMP, nwsquid, Penwhale, tt49, Turducken, ump_24 and fan SJR for correctly answering one or both parts of the posted scenario. The correct response is:

(a) and (b): The ball is dead and no runners may advance at the moment of unintentional second contact by the bat while the batter is in a legal position within the batter's box (Rules 6.05[h], 6.03). The ball is foul; R1 is returned to first base and play proceeds with two outs and a two strike count on B1.

Points Distribution
+2: BrooklynUmp, nwsquid, Penwhale, tt49, ump_24
+1: kickersrule, MSN_UMP, Turducken

Thank you for participating in this Case Play and stay tuned for further Case Plays. The original Case Play post has been reproduced below.

Pursuant to UEFL Rule 4.f., this Case Play is open for 48 hours from the time of this post (6/8/12 at 4:00PM). During this time, all Case Play responses will remain in moderation (screened or invisible) until the 48 hour submission period is closed. To receive full point(s) credit, you must answer the following scenario correctly. Though rules citation is not required, it is strongly recommended to safeguard against missing out on points due to an unclear or erroneous explanation.

Video: Ball strikes bat twice during one pitch

During this recreational softball game featuring the Balco Beefcakes, batter B1 swung at and hit a ball once, before contacting the ball again with his backswing. Assuming that during both instances of contact, the bat and points of contact were located directly over home plate and prior to this play there were two strikes on B1 with two outs and a runner on first (R1) who was running with the pitch, using MLB Rules/OBR, deduce the following: After the second point of contact, the ball caroms backwards, as in this video, and (a) the catcher (F2) catches the ball on the fly and throws to first base in advance of R1 returning to the base or (b) the catcher (F2) drops the deflected ball. For each scenario, determine how this play shall be adjudicated and how play shall proceed. (1 pt for [a], 1 pt for [b]).

Consult the UEFL Rules Book for further information regarding Rule 4-6 and Case Plays.