Game Situations: Intentionally Dropped Ball & Caught Stealing on Ball Four


 
Runner on first with one out. The batter hits a fair high fly ball towards the second baseman. The second baseman sees the runner on first return to first and the batter remains at the plate. The second baseman intentionally drops the fly ball and immediately throws to second for an out and then to first for another out.
 
1a. What is the umpire's call?
1b. What if there were two outs when this started?
1c. What if the only runner was on second base and not on first?
 
Call
1a. When a fair fly ball is touched and intentionally dropped by an infielder with less than two outs and a runner on first, the ball is immediately dead (5-1-1j). The runner must return to first base (8-4-1c)
1b. With two outs, there is no penalty -- play on.
1c. With no runner on first, there is no penalty -- play on.


 
Two outs, 3-2 count on player #26, player #95 is on deck, and a runner is on second. The pitcher throws the pitch in the dirt in front of the plate, so the runner at third breaks to third base on the steal.  The field umpire bangs the runner out at third for the third out to end the inning.
 
2. Which batter leads off the inning when this team bats again?
 
Call
2. #26 walked. Even though he did not make it to first before the inning ended on the 3rd out at third base, #26 has completed his time at bat and #95 leads of the next inning.