I was watching a baseball game last week, and the hitter bunted the ball. The catcher and the pitcher converged on the rolling ball watching it in hopes that it would roll foul. The ball bounced against the footprints already in the dirt and finally went foul.
So using this instance, could the fielder try to step in the dirt ahead of the ball, or even use his foot to drag a trough in the dirt ahead of the ball to help coax the ball into foul territory?
If this is not allowed, can you provide the rule number?
Thanks!
2007-05-05 11:58:43 · 8 answers · asked by CandlepinScott 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
yes, it is legal. ive saw people trying to blow on the ball once. as long as you dont touch the ball with part of your body or glove then it counts.
2007-05-05 12:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by Dan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is legal but is very hard to execute if you are the fielder attempting to move the ball into foul territory this way... The ball would have to be rolling very slowly for you to do this and you would have to a) think to do this during a situation where a perfect bunt is layed down, b) make a path/ditch for the ball to roll foul before it slows down too much... and c) the path/ditch/through in the dirt will have to made perfectly for a ball to actually roll foul on... So the answer is yes, it is legal but would be very difficult to execute... and of course if it hits the foot in the process then it is a fair ball... hope this answers it...
2007-05-05 12:27:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mikey P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal but per se not in the rules book but in league manuals given to umpires at the start of each season. I remember the one I received for minor league ball in 1997 had that exact play in it and it was to be ruled fair ball and play continues.
The premise is that the fielder is considered to have touched the ball physically to make it go fair if he in any way creates a force to make the ball roll into foul territory.
2007-05-05 14:11:24 · answer #3 · answered by david w 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly legal unless you touch the ball. Some grounds keepers have also been know to thicken the infield lines when they paint it on to prevent balls from going foul.
There is a famous clip of a players literally blowing the ball foul and the other team protested, but the call stood.
2007-05-05 12:26:10 · answer #4 · answered by bronxbloggers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in short, no. in accordance to MLB guidelines, a runner ought to leave their bases the prompt the first fielder touches the ball. i visit't imagine of any sane fielder who would deliberately bobble a fly ball back up into the air, besides, on condition that catching back it formerly it hits the floor would not be a positive situation.
2016-12-05 09:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by huett 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lenny Randle once tried to blow a ball foul -- it's in more than one blooper reel -- and while the play stood (batter Otis was credited a single), soon after the rules were clarified to not allow that sort of thing, interfering without actual contact (it was creative, but unsportsmanlike). I cannot find an exact rule to cite, but I have to consider that digging a channel with one's spikes would be similar enough that the umpires would disallow it and award the batter first base.
2007-05-05 12:35:44 · answer #6 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's illegal for a fielder to do anything to alter the path of a batted ball other than by actually fielding the ball.
2007-05-05 15:44:28 · answer #7 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2007-05-05 12:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by Ryan 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋