Beep Baseball

Today’s speaker at my lunch was....a blind baseball player.

Pretty inspiring.

Rule 8 from the official site:

RULE 8 BASE RUNNING

Section 1: When Batter Becomes a Runner

Article 1...A batter becomes a runner with the right to attempt to score by advancing to the activated base when he hits a fair ball.

Article 2...Runner scores one point for legally advancing to and touching the activated base before his fair hit ball is legally fielded by the defense.

NOTE: In case of a "tie" between the runner and fielder, the runner shall be called out.

Section 2: Touching and Return To A Base

Article 1...An advancing runner shall touch first or third base, whichever is activated at the time the ball is hit.

Article 2...A runner who overruns the activated base may attempt to return to touch it prior to the defense legally fielding his/her hit ball. No verbal or physical assistance may be given by any person to a runner who misses a base and attempts to return to it. PENALTY: Runner is out.

Article 3...For the act of the runner Touching the Base, touching applies to contact of any part of the runner or his/her clothing, if the clothing is reasonably well-fitted, with any part of the base or its wind-resistant device.

Section 3: Base Running Awards

Article 1...When a runner is obstructed while advancing to the activated base by a fielder in direct pursuit of the ball, the umpire shall award a score if the obstruction occurred in foul territory; or an out to the defense if the obstruction occurred in fair territory (interference). If there is doubt as to whether the proper call is obstruction (defense, foul territory) or interference (offense, fair territory), the head umpire may call a replay. If there is interference away from the ball by a defensive player not in direct pursuit of the ball, the umpire may award a run to the offense if the umpire feels that the runner could have touched the activated base prior to the ball being legally fielded had there been no interference. Award may be made whether interference was in fair or foul territory. EXAMPLE: The ball is it to the first base side, third base is activated, the third baseman interferes in foul or fair territory with the runner attempting to reach third base preventing him/her from touching the activated base before the defense legally fields the ball. The umpire may award the run since the third baseman was obviously not in direct pursuit of the ball. Judgement is necessary to assure the runner did not seek the third baseman to instigate the contact and draw the award.

Article 2...When a runner is obstructed by an umpire, or other game official, while advancing to the activated base; or a fielder is prevented from fielding a hit ball by umpire/official interference, the head umpire may award a score to the offense or an out to the defense, or call a replay.

Section 4: Runner Is Out

Article 1...The Batter/Runner is Out When:

[a] His/her fair hit ball is legally fielded (caught) by a fielder before he/she touches the activated base; or

[b] His/her fair or foul fly ball is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground, an umpire or other game official, a spotter, the pitcher or catcher, any object foreign to the natural ground, or any person other than another defensive fielder; or

[c] After hitting the ball, his/her bat again touches the ball in fair territory, or touches the ball before it has passed the forty-foot line when there is a change that the ball could have crossed the line if contact had not been made, the ball is dead and the runner is out. EXCEPTION: If the bat and the ball come in contact a second time while the batter is still holding the bat in the batter’s box, it is a foul ball; or

[d] Runner is out when he is touched by or touches a fair hit ball before the ball is touched by a fielder, unless such touching occurs while the batter is still in the batter’s box (foul ball); or

[e] He/she touches or is touched by his/her hit ball which is rolling toward first or third base, inside the base line, before the ball has crossed the forty-foot line and there is a possibility that the ball could have crossed the line fi the runner had not had contact with the ball; or

[f] There is interference with a fielder by any person associated with the offensive team.