Why TWO extra bases?

Question

In tonight's Dodger/Brewer game, with a runner on first, Manny Ramirez caught a fly ball in left and then threw the ball back to first to try for the double play, however, the ball passed the first baseman and went into an unplayable area. The Brewer at first got to move to third as a result. Why? I thought only one base was merited. Also, the Brewer's announcer said something like, "one from the field and one from the mound" which I don't understand either.

Answer 1

They play it by the rule book.

Answer 2

The proper call was to award the base runner 2 bases from the last base he has touched at the time of the throw (when ball was released).

The call was correct, the announcer was wrong.

The Brewer's announcer was referring to something else.  If a Pitcher makes a pick off move to first base and is throwing from the rubber, and the ball goes OUT OF PLAY, the runner gets one base.  If the pitcher steps back off the rubber and then makes a throw to first base and it goes out of play, the runner will get 2 bases.  The minute a pitcher steps off the rubber, he becomes an infielder.

The announcer's comments did not relate to a play from the outfield.

Answer 3

If the ball is lost like that it doesn't take long for a base runner to get to third base.  I don't think there is any rule about how far a base runner can go on a throwing error.

Oops.  Maybe there is a rule about that. Never mind.

Answer 4

There is a rule about this: 7.05g. It basically says depending on the position of the baserunners at the time the wild throw went into the unplayable area, the runners are awarded 2 bases. The exact scenario you just described is given as an example in the rulebook. Read the second "APPROVED RULING" example copied from the exerpt from the rulebook section.

Similar scenario also happened at the Angels-Indians game today.

After Aybar drew a one-out walk in the third, Teixeria SINGLED to right. As Aybar slid in safely at third, the throw from right fielder Ben Francisco bounced into the camera bay. Aybar was awarded home and Teixeria went to third.

Although it wasn't a flyout, it was a single, Teixera had already reached first base when the ball was thrown out of play into the camera bay. So Teixera was awarded 3rd base. Indians manager came out to argue, but was unsuccessful.

(g) Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wire screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made;

APPROVED RULING: If all runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made.

Rule 7.05(g) Comment: In certain circumstances it is impossible to award a runner two bases. Example: Runner on first. Batter hits fly to short right. Runner holds up between first and second and batter comes around first and pulls up behind him. Ball falls safely. Outfielder, in throwing to first, throws ball into stand.

Rule 7.05

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APPROVED RULING: Since no runner, when the ball is dead, may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled, the runner originally on first base goes to third base and the batter is held at second base.

The term “when the wild throw was made” means when the throw actually left the player’s hand and not when the thrown ball hit the ground, passes a receiving fielder or goes out of play into the stands.

The position of the batter-runner at the time the wild throw left the thrower’s hand is the key in deciding the award of bases. If the batter-runner has not reached first base, the award is two bases at the time the pitch was made for all runners. The decision as to whether the batter-runner has reached first base before the throw is a judgment call.

If an unusual play arises where a first throw by an infielder goes into stands or dugout but the batter did not become a runner (such as catcher throwing ball into stands in attempt to get runner from third trying to score on passed ball or wild pitch) award of two bases shall be from the position of the runners at the time of the throw. (For the purpose of Rule 7.05 (g) a catcher is considered an infielder.)

PLAY. Runner on first base, batter hits a ball to the shortstop, who throws to second base too late to get runner at second, and second baseman throws toward first base after batter has crossed first base. Ruling—Runner at second scores. (On this play, only if batter-runner is past first base when throw is made is he awarded third base.)

Answer 5

It amazes me how many players, coaches, and fans don't know this most basic of baseball rules. A ball thrown out of play by a fielder always results in a two-base award. Always has, always will. The ol' "one-plus-one" saying is pure nonsense whose beginnings are a mystery.

A ball thrown out of play by a pitcher acting in the capacity as a pitcher (he's touching the pitcher's plate) is a one-base award.

Wow. A thumbs-down. Really. So how do you argue with the rules?

Answer 6

Since the runner was in between first and second, when the ball was thrown away, he was rounding second and by rule he can advance an extra base if the ball goes out of play.