Base on Balls

 
Four balls gets the batter an uneventful stroll to first base... but how about these situations?

a. No one on base. The batter takes ball 4 and walks to first base. He touches first but walks past the base and is tagged by the first baseman. What is the call?

Call

A base on balls is a live ball and an award of only one base. The batter is out for overrunning first: NF 2-4-2 and OBR 6.08a

b. The bases are loaded with a full count and two out -- so all the runners are running on the pitch. The batter takes ball 4 and walks, but the runner on second overruns third and is tagged out for the third out to end the inning before the runner from third scores at home. Does the run count?

Call

A base on balls is an award to the batter. The batter and all forced runners are awarded one base. This is not a time play, so the run counts: NF 8-3-1.b and OBR 7.04b and 6.08a

c. No one out, 3-0 count and a runner on first. The batter check-swings on a ball in the dirt and the plate umpire calls ball-4. As the batter walks to first and the runner on first walks to second, the catcher asks that the plate umpire get help on the check-swing from the base umpire. The plate umpire does ask for help and the base umpire signals a strike. The batter returns to the plate (with a 3-1 count), but while the runner returns to first, the runner is tagged out before he returns to first. Is the runner out?

Call

The UIC is permitted to rectify a situation where the reversed umpire decision put either team at a disadvantage: NF10-2-3.L and casebooks plays 10.2.3 H and I. So, in NFHS, the runner can be returned to first and the batter remains at the plate 3-1 count.