With the runner from second attempting to advance to third base, the batted ball gets by the third baseman, who was playing in to defend a possible bunt, and contacts the runner. The shortstop is not in a position to make a play on the ball. What is the status of the ball?

With the runner from second attempting to advance to third base, the batted ball gets by the third baseman, who was playing in to defend a possible bunt, and contacts the runner. The shortstop is not in a position to make a play on the ball. What is the status of the ball?

• A. The ball is immediately dead.
• B. It is a delayed dead ball.
• C. The ball stays live and in play
• D. The ball remains dead after appeal.

Answer: (C)

When a batted ball is touched by a fielder and then makes contact with a runner, the ball remains live unless a specific dead-ball situation occurs. In this scenario, the third baseman deflects the ball while defending a bunt, and the ball then hits the runner. There’s no rule that automatically deadens the ball simply because a runner was struck after a fielder’s touch, and the shortstop isn’t in position to make a play does not create a dead ball either. So the ball stays in play, and the defense can continue to try to make a play or record outs on subsequent actions while runners may advance.

When a batted ball is touched by a fielder and then makes contact with a runner, the ball remains live unless a specific dead-ball situation occurs. In this scenario, the third baseman deflects the ball while defending a bunt, and the ball then hits the runner. There’s no rule that automatically deadens the ball simply because a runner was struck after a fielder’s touch, and the shortstop isn’t in position to make a play does not create a dead ball either. So the ball stays in play, and the defense can continue to try to make a play or record outs on subsequent actions while runners may advance.