Runners on 1st and 3rd base hit the ball to the referee… How far can the runner go?
In Korean professional baseball, there was a case in which a referee who made a mistake in applying the rules was severely punished by two teams and a fine. The Korean Baseball Board (KBO), which oversees professional baseball, announced on the 8th. Second base umpire Lee Young-jae, who made the decision, will be demoted to the second team indefinitely and fined 1 million won (about 100,000 yen). A fine of Won was imposed.
The scene in question happened on the 7th at the Lotte-KT match in Busan. In the top of the 4th inning, KT’s batted ball hit the umpire on second base at 1st and 3rd base with 2 deaths and went to the outfield. The third base runner survived and the second base runner advanced to third base. At this time, the referee decided to allow the score, but to return the first run to second base.
It is said that this scoring was wrong. The KBO states in Baseball Rule 5.06(c) Section 6, “If a fair ball that has not touched an infielder (including the pitcher) touches a runner or umpire in fair territory, or touches an infielder (other than the pitcher). If a fair ball that has not passed touches an umpire—each runner who is obliged to surrender the base because the batter has become a runner advances.” I’m assuming it’s not acceptable.
During the match, there was no appeal from the opposing team Lotte, so the game proceeded as it was, and KT, who added one point in this play, won 7-1.
(Full-Count editorial department)
