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on deck batter
by Ezra
Everyone in on the action at home plate
Ezra asked: I just witnessed in a ball game the following. Ball was put in play with runners on first and second, first runner scored as the ball was fired home, the ball hit the on deck batter who had run up to home plate to base coach and was devirted from the pitcher who was there leading to the next run scoring. Should someone be called out or for the least be sent back to third. Ball becomes dead immediately and the runner is out, others return. The first runner should score, the second runner is out and the batter/runner should return to the last base reached prior to the interference being called. We all teach our on deck hitters to get up towards the plate and let the runner coming home know whether to slide or stand up. It has always been the case and probably always will be. It does make a team somewhat susceptible to the situation you describe; but it isn't seen much. I have never seen it happen, as a player or coach in my 45 plus years, so I assume it must be pretty rare. That may be why there was no call on the play. In the picture above, the on deck hitter is inside the home plate circle. Players don't need to get into the dirt area to be effective help for the runner, particularly younger players. Being a little further back, the better chance they can react to a bad throw and avoid the contact with the ball. Situations such as this are one of the many things that make baseball such an interesting game. So much can happen in a short period of time and be complicated to sort out. Yours in baseball, Rick
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