Out of Play II


Runners on 3rd and 2nd, no outs, 1-1 count on the batter. After the pitch is delivered, the catcher whips a throw down to 3rd base in an attempt to pick-off the runner at 3rd. The throw hits the 3rd baseman and bounces into dead ball territory.
 
A) Where should the runners on 3rd and 2nd be placed?

Call
For A and B, it does not matter if ball ricochets off a player or off a base. When the ball is thrown out of play, it is immediately dead (5-1-1g) and the runners are awarded two bases from the time of the throw (8-3-3c), so both the runner at second and third score.


B) Does it make a difference if the catcher's throw ricochets off the defensive player, or off the offensive player, or off the base before going into dead ball territory?

Call
For A and B, it does not matter if ball ricochets off a player or off a base. When the ball is thrown out of play, it is immediately dead (5-1-1g) and the runners are awarded two bases from the time of the throw (8-3-3c), so both the runner at second and third score.


C) Extra Credit: If the count on the batter was 3-0 and the pitch was called a ball (for a ball-four walk) and then the catcher threw the ball to 3rd and it went out of play -- where would you place the batter?

Call
Although the batter is awarded first on the walk, he has not acquired first so he is awarded second on the throw out of play.