Award of Bases
The basic thing to remember is awards are different when the
pitcher throws a ball out of play, versus a fielder:
When the pitcher throws the ball into dead ball territory while he is in contact with the rubber, the runners are awarded one base from where they were at the time of the windup.
If the pitch goes out of play on ball four, the batter only gets first base, but all other runners get one base from the base they held at the time of the pitch (windup). If the pitcher is not in contact with the rubber, he is a fielder.
When any fielder throws the ball into dead ball territory, the runners are awarded two bases.
The complicated part of this rule is deciding from what position the two bases are awarded. There are several exceptions that can affect the award. The award is either from the “time of pitch” (T.O.P.) or the “time of throw” (T.O.T.). The time of throw means at the instant the ball leaves the thrower’s hand. Not the time the throw goes into dead ball area.
If the throw is the first play by an infielder, the award is, two bases from where the runners were at the T.O.P. in 99% of the plays. There is an exception that will be described later. The time of pitch is the start of the windup or the moment the pitcher separates his hands from the set position.
If the throw was the second play by an infielder, or any play by an outfielder, the award is, two bases from the time the throw left the fielder’s hand (T.O.T.). The moment when the ball enters dead ball territory has no effect on the determination of the placement of the runners. The placement is from where the runners were at the time of the pitch or the time the throw left the thrower’s hand depending on whether the play was the first play by an infielder or some other play.
A key thought to remember is: “first play in infield = time of pitch. Second play or outfield = time of release.” The award is, always two bases. The only decision is: from where?
EXCEPTIONS: If ALL runners including the batter runner have advanced one base before the first play by an infielder, the award is from time of release. Otherwise, the award is from the time of the pitch. The key word is “ALL.”
PLAY: Runner on second. A high pop-up is hit to the shortstop. The runner holds. The shortstop drops the ball, and then throws to first attempting to get the batter who has already rounded the base before the release of the throw, and the ball enters dead ball territory. This was the first play by an infielder, which means the award is from time of pitch. The exception states that ALL runners must advance a base before the time of release award is used. Because the runner at second held his base, ALL runners did not advance before the throw, therefore, the award is from time of pitch. The runner on second is awarded home and the batter is awarded second. If the runner on second had advanced to third before the throw to first, ALL runners would have advanced before the throw, so the batter would be awarded third base and the runner on second would get home.
A play for purposes of this rule is a legitimate attempt to retire a runner. A throw to a base, an attempted tag or attempting to touch a base for a force out are plays. A fake throw or fielding a batted ball, are not plays for purposes of this rule.
PLAY. (a) Runner on first. Ground ball to SS. The throw to second is too late and R1 is safe. The second baseman throws to first and the ball goes into dead ball area. R1 is awarded home and the batter is awarded second. The second baseman’s throw was the second play so time of release applies. R1 was at second when the throw was made. The batter was not at first at the time of the release.
PLAY. (b) Runner on first. Runner takes off on the pitch. Ground ball to SS. The runner reaches second before the SS releases the throw to first that then goes into dead ball area. R1 is only awarded third because the throw was the first play by an infielder, which makes the award from the time of pitch. R1 was at first at the time of pitch.
