Solution for ABL Case Play: Stepping Over the Line

Our Australian Baseball League dead-ball territory Case Play is now complete, the solution below. Play:

With none out and two on, Bite batter Chan Moon hit a sacrifice fly to Heat left fielder Tim Smith in foul territory, Bite baserunner R3 Rocky Gale scoring as R1 Michael Miller remained at first base. Replays indicate F7 Smith slid to catch the fly, then regained his footing before stepping across the venue's out-of-play line and into dead ball territory before throwing the ball back to the infield.

At issue, as argued by the offensive team's coach, was whether F7's actions caused the ball to become dead and, if so, whether R1 should have been awarded second base.

Because the ABL uses the Official Baseball Rules, we can confidently cite MLB's code in solving this Case Play. As it stands, the following comprise our statements of material fact:
➤ The Norwood Oval's ground rules states a line in foul ground delineates live from dead ball territory.
➤ F7 entered his slide, without possession of the ball, while in foul territory, above "in play" ground.
➤ F7 caught the ball and exited his slide, standing on his feet, while in foul territory, "in play."
➤ F7 hopped across the out of play line, such that only his feet/shoes were in contact with the ground.
➤ F7 threw the ball back to the infield while standing wholly in dead ball territory.

F7 legally stands out of play

OBR Rule 5.10(f) states, "When a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand...If a fielder after making a catch steps into a bench, but does not fall, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril."
OBR Rule 6.05(a) Comment states, "The ball is in play unless the fielder, after making a legal catch, falls into a dugout or other out-of-play area, in which case the ball is dead."
OBR Rule 7.04(c) states that each runner may advance one base when, "a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field."

Because F7 did not actually fall in or onto dead ball territory—he recovered to his feet and maintained his shoes as the only point of contact with the ground—Rule 7.04(c) cannot apply. According to the Wendelstedt Umpire School, "This is covered under 6.05 (a) Comment. It appears that he slides, makes the catch, recovers to his feet, then steps into the out-of-play area. This is perfectly legal under the rules." Thus, the umpires made the correct call. Live ball, B1 is out, R1 stays at first, R3 scores.

Wendelstedt School Director Brent Rice addressed the following potential scenarios to this play:
➤ Had F7 fallen after entering DBT: Dead ball, B1 is out, R1 awarded one base (2B), R3 scores.
➤ Had F7 made the catch and then slid into DBT: Dead ball, B1 out, R1 awarded 2nd, R3 awarded home.
➤ Had F7 caught the ball after entering DBT—or bobbled the ball into DBT: Foul ball, no out.
➤ Had F7 dropped the ball while standing in DBT having already completed the catch: Dead ball, B1 out, R1 awarded two bases (3B), R3 awarded home.

NCAA RULING: Under most circumstances, this same play is legal in NCAAB, pursuant to Rule 6.1.d. However, Rule 6.1.d(1)(b) specifically authorizes a local facility to adopt a ground rule that would preclude a fielder from throwing from dead-ball territory, though the fielder would be legally permitted to re-enter live-ball territory in order to throw. If such a ground rule is adopted, the penalty for this "catch-and-carry" violation is a dead ball and one-base award.

Thanks to all participants: 2015 UEFL CP points for: AJ_Off, cyclone14, Jim, RichMSN, zimmerthechief.

Final Results: 2014 UEFL Rules Summit

Final results for the 2014 UEFL Rules Summit are in. The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces the following rules changes for the 2015 UEFL Season. The results of the Summit have been referred to the UEFL Rules Committee for formal codification and adoption (the 2015 UEFL Rules will be released prior to standard registration, by February 2015):

➤ 6-1-a: Appeals must be initiated within 24-hour statute of limitations; 69% Yes, 26% No.
➤ 6-2-b-5: Ejections for arguing a Replay Review are deemed irrecusable; 66% Yes, 29% No.
➤ 6-2-b-5: Ejections for throwing equipment are judged individually; 74% Yes, 20% No.
➤ 6-2-b-5-c: All check swing ejections are referred to Appeals Board for QOC; 51% Yes, 46% No.
➤ 8-1: Penalty system to be established for violations of community guidelines; 60% Yes, 31% No.
➤ 9-1-a: Appeals Board has elastic clause power rule on unaddressed issues; 69% Yes, 23% No.
➤ Appeals Board: Arik G; 69% Yes, 23% No.
➤ Appeals Board: JD; 69% Yes, 20% No.
➤ Appeals Board: RichMSN; 80% Yes, 11% No.
➤ Appeals Board: tmac; 80% Yes, 9% No.
➤ Appeals Board: Turducken; 74% Yes, 17% No.
➤ Appeals Board: cyclone14; 57% Yes, 31% No.

2015 UEFL Appeals Board: Gil, Jeremy, RichMSN, tmac, Turducken, Arik G, JD, cyclone14.

The following proposals did not receive an absolute majority of yea votes and, therefore, did not pass:
➤ 1-3: Decrease in number of drafted umpires to three (from five); 34% Yes, 54% No.
➤ 3-3-a: Assessment of -1 points for crew chief's incorrect call (from +0); 31% Yes, 60% No.
➤ 4-7: Removal of Instant Replay Reviews from league scoring; 31% Yes, 63% No.
➤ 6-2-b-8: UEFL to determine Replay Review QOC independent of MLB; 46% Yes, 49% No.
➤ 6-2-c-a: Confirmed/Overturned calling official = NY, Stands = Field; 40% Yes, 54% No.
➤ 6-4-a-3: UEFL Appeals Board terms of office extended to three years; 40% Yes, 57% No.
➤ 8-5: UEFL draft to adopt a required entry fee; 11% Yes, 80% No.
➤ 8-3: Voting for Appeals Board restricted to prior year's UEFL membership; 48% Yes, 46% No.
➤ 8-6: 30 QOC Quick Votes in opposition to Original Ruling triggers appeal; 49% Yes, 46% No.
➤ 8-7: UEFL members authorized to trade a team member during season; 44% Yes, 46% No.

Thank you all for participating in the 2014 UEFL Rules Summit and we'll see you in 2015. Stay tuned for the answer to the Stepping Over the Line ABL Case Play and offseason ejection updates/reports.

Case Play (ABL Ejection): Stepping Over the Line

An umpire's out/live ball in play vs. dead ball call sparked an ejection in the Australian Baseball League this weekend as 3B Umpire Neil Poulton ejected Adelaide Bite Manager Brooke Knight for arguing a live ball call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Heat-Bite game. With none out and two on, Bite batter Chan Moon hit a sacrifice fly to Heat left fielder Tim Smith in foul territory, Bite baserunner R3 Rocky Gale scoring as R1 Michael Miller remained at first base. At issue was not the validity of the out (catch) call, but whether F7 Smith "fell" before throwing the ball back into the infield and keeping Miller at first base. The ground rules for the Norwood Oval specify that an out-of-bounds line shall exist in the corners of the outfield, in front of the bullpens, and that a fielder or ball crossing this line shall be deemed out of play.

Momentum carries F7 across the OOP line.

The ABL uses the Official Baseball Rules; pursuant to OBR Rule 5.10(f), "When a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand," the ball is dead. However, "If a fielder after making a catch steps into a bench, but does not fall, the ball is in play and runners may advance at their own peril." Rule 7.04(c) specifies that each runner may advance one base when "A fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field." Rule 6.05(a) Comment similarly states that the "ball is in play unless the fielder, after making a legal catch, falls into a dugout or other out-of-play area, in which case the ball is dead." Replays indicate F7 Smith slid and caught the ball in the field of play, appearing to regain his footing before stepping over the out-of-play line (see attached photograph).

Q: Does this constitute a "fall" under Rule 5.10(f) or a "step into a bench"? Is a bullpen a bench?
HINT: MLBUM #24(5).
Case Play Note: Yes, the 2014 UEFL season has concluded. However, up to two Case Play points for the 2015 UEFL season may be gained through contributing to this discussion.

Wrap: Perth Heat vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 11/15/14
Video: Sac fly to LF gives Bite a 3-1 lead and fireworks, too, on question of Smith's status (ABL)