Newmarket Minor Softball Association
Providing over 35 years of continuous softball enjoyment in Newmarket
6. Fair ball bouncing out of play or off a defensive player.
When a fair ball bounces out of play, including if it deflects off a defensive player, the umpire shall declare “Dead Ball” as soon as the ball goes out of play.
- All runners shall be awarded two bases.
- The award is based on their position at the time of the pitch - not at the time that the ball went out of play.
- The award is the same regardless of where the ball actually goes out of play.
- Be prepared that this rule could actually end up bringing runners backwards.
- A long rolling ground ball goes out of play and the batter is already past second base - the batter goes back to second base.
- Same play, runner starting at first base is already past third base and on their way to score when the batted ball goes out of play, the runner is returned to third base.