YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOFTBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 8

YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOFTBALL

(By ‘Diamond.’’) This is the first of a series of problems which are liable to arise in any softball game. They have been chosen to help new players become familiar with the more intricate play associated with this popular sport. Query: A wild throw from the shortstop went by the first baseman and struck the umpire, who was standing behind first base in fowl territory. The baserunner, seeing the ball pass the first baseman, continued on to second base. The first baseman picked up the ball, which had stopped when it hit the umpire, and threw to the second baseman, who tagged the runner before he reached that base. The umpire ruled that the base-runner was entitled to second base because the overthrown ball had hit him, thereby becoming a blocked ball. Was the umpire right? Answer: Any thrown ball hitting an umpire is in play until the ball goes into a crowd, grandstand or other obstructions covered by local ground rules. Therefore, the runner in this case left first base at his own risk, so he is "out."