Solution for Case Play 2013-08: Wolf's Two Strike Strikeout

Case Play 2013-08 (Wolf's Two Strike Strikeout) is now final. Answer appears below.

To refresh, with one out and none on, B1 swings at and misses a 1-1 pitch, resulting in a second strike. B1, mistakingly under the belief that he has struck out, returns to the team dugout as PU declares an out. The scenario asked, "Does batter abandonment (1) appear within the rules and (2) govern this situation...Do umpires have an obligation to call the batter back to home plate if [the batter] mistakenly retreats to the dugout on a strike two pitch?"

Answer, Case Play 2013-08
In responding to the scenario, the following rule was properly identified and referenced: OBR Rule 6.02(c).

6.02(c) - "If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter's box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper position before three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out."
The umpire has the discretion, but is under no obligation, to place the batter back in the batter's box.

To understand the language of Rule 6.02(d), it is necessary to grasp its history. Rule 6.02(d) was introduced to the minor leagues in 2005 as a "pace-of-game" experiment. The experimental procedure was adopted unchanged into the 2006 Official Rules, albeit as a provision that applies to the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), now more commonly known as Minor League Baseball. Accordingly, when pace-of-game became a point of emphasis at the Major League level in 2008, Rules 6.02(a), 6.02(b), 6.02(c) and 8.04 were emphasized as 6.02(d) did not exist at the MLB level.

In order to be adopted at the Major League level, the Players Association would have to approve the rule. Since 2006, the MLBPA did not approve or adopt Rule 6.02(d), so it remained a NAPBL rule.

The rule contains several key directives meant to quicken the pace of a game, for instance, a batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box during his entire time at bat unless specific situations occur, such as (1) a swinging strike, (2) a pitch forces him out of the box [e.g., chin music], (3) "Time" is granted, (4) a play is attempted on a runner, (5) the batter feigns a bunt, (6) a wild pitch/passed ball occurs, (7) the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the mound after receiving the ball, or (8) the catcher leaves the catcher's box to give defensive signals.

Similar language in the Official Baseball Rules regarding provisions adopted by National Association Leagues includes 4.12(7)(8)(9), which pertains to suspended games and clearly apply to MiLB, but not MLB (e.g., mandating a regularly scheduled game be shortened to seven innings if a suspended game which is not yet regulation is continued prior to the regularly scheduled game). This rule is prefaced by, "National Association Leagues may also adopt the following rules for suspended games."

Also included is Rule 8.02(a)(2)-(6) Penalty (a), mandating a 10-game automatic suspension for a pitcher ejected for illegal action in doctoring a baseball ("In National Association Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games"). When Joel Peralta was ejected for an illegal/foreign substance on his glove (pine tar), he was suspended only eight games (Ejection 074: Tim Tschida [3], 2012).

Rule 10.22(a) Minimum Standards for Individual Championships also makes the distinction between a "Major League" player and a "National Association player," as does Rule 1.16(b)-(c) ((b) double ear-flap helmets required in NAL; (c) single ear allowed in MLB). OBR clearly indicates that when mentioned by name, rules are exclusive to National Association or Major League play, as appropriate.

Accordingly, Rule 6.02(d)(i) [or any 6.02(d) variant] is not applicable as Rule 6.02(d) applies to National Association Leagues and not Major League play. Earlier this season, 2013 California League umpire of the year and "Doug Harvey Award" recipient Ron Teague ejected RockHounds batter Vinnie Catricala after calling two automatic strikes under the auspices of Rule 6.02(c)(d).

Rule 9.01(c) ("Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules") is also not applicable as this scenario is specifically covered by Rule 6.02(c).

Batter abandonment makes a de facto appearance in Rules 6.02(c) and (d), though only 6.02(c) applies.

One Point Awarded (+1): Penwhale, Turducken.