- May 29, 2015
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I had a play, a runner on first, the ball got away from the catcher and rolled to the opening of the third base dugout, (did not go in dugout) the runner on first ran to second, a girl at the dugout opening (the batter's team) picked up the ball and threw it back to the pitcher, would you consider that blocked ball?.....WOuld the runner that took 2nd base be awarded 3rd base?......I left her at 2nd.
WARNING: RABBIT HOLE.
The rules are written in an interesting manner, such that there are cases where an offense by a team could benefit them with the penalty as written. At what point does an umpire go rogue and overrule the penalty for something?
Last weekend we had an offensive team who left their gate open and, of course, the ball went through and I awarded bases accordingly. Later, my partner said "I should have thought about that a little more. We shouldn't have rewarded them for leaving that gate open." (He is a retired NCAA umpire, so he wasn't a schlep like me.)
My response was "We didn't, we penalized the defense for failing to keep the ball on the field."
I see his point, but the rules don't state "unless it benefits the offending team." I agree with the concept, but I have problems with overriding the rulebook. Thoughts?