AWARDING OF BASES

The basic thing to remember is awards are

different when the pitcher throws a ball out
of play, versus a fielder:
When the pitcher throws the ball into dead ball
territory while he is in contact with the
rubber, the runners are awarded one base
from where they were at the time of the
windup.
If the pitch goes out of play on ball four, the
batter only gets first base, but all other
runners get one base from the base they held
at the time of the pitch (windup). If the
pitcher is not in contact with the rubber, he
When a fielder throws the ball into dead
ball territory, the runners are awarded
two bases.
The complicated part of this rule is
deciding from what position the two
bases are awarded. There are several
exceptions that can affect the award.
The award is either from the "time of
pitch" (T.O.P.) or the "time of throw"
(T.O.T.). The time of throw means at
the instant the ball leaves the
If the throw is the first play by an infielder, the
award is, two bases from where the runners
were at the T.O.P. in 99% of the plays. There is
an exception that will be described later. The
time of pitch is the start of the windup or the
moment the pitcher separates his hands from
the set position.
If the throw was the second play by an infielder, or
any play by an outfielder, the award is, two
bases from the time the throw left the fielder's
hand (T.O.T.). The moment when the ball
enters dead ball territory has no effect on the
determination of the placement of the runners.
The placement is from where the runners were
A key thought to remember is: "first play
in infield = time of pitch. Second play
or outfield = time of release." The
award is, always two bases. The only
decision is: from where?
EXCEPTIONS:
If ALL runners including the batter
runner have advanced one base before
the first play by an infielder, the award
is from time of release. Otherwise, the
award is from the time of the pitch.
PLAY: Runner on second. A high pop-up
is hit to the shortstop. The runner
holds. The shortstop drops the ball,
and then throws to first attempting to
get the batter who has already
rounded the base before the release of
the throw, and the ball enters dead
ball territory. This was the first play
by an infielder, which means the
award is from time of pitch. The
exception states that ALL runners
Because the runner at second held his
base, ALL runners did not advance
before the throw, therefore, the
award is from time of pitch. The
runner on second is awarded home
and the batter is awarded second. If
the runner on second had advanced
to third before the throw to first, ALL
runners would have advanced before
the throw, so the batter would be
awarded third base and the runner
A play for purposes of this rule
is a legitimate attempt to
retire a runner. A throw to a
base, an attempted tag or
attempting to touch a base for
a force out are plays. A fake
throw or fielding a batted
ball, are not plays for
purposes of this rule.
PLAY. (a) Runner on first. Ground
ball to SS. The throw to second is
too late and R1 is safe. The second
baseman throws to first and the ball
goes into dead ball area. R1 is
awarded home and the batter is
awarded second. The second
baseman’s throw was the second
play so time of release applies. R1
was at second when the throw was
made. The batter was not at first at
PLAY. (b) Runner on first.
Runner takes off on the pitch.
Ground ball to SS. The runner
reaches second before the SS
releases the throw to first that
then goes into dead ball area.
R1 is only awarded third
because the throw was the first
play by an infielder, which
makes the award from the time
HOW TO AWARD BASES
IN BASEBALL?
1. The pitcher was on the mound. To
award bases in baseball, a few
questions have to be answered. If
the pitcher was on the mound and
in contact with the pitching plate
when the he made the errant throw,
the runner gets one base. An
example would be a pitcher trying
to pick off a base runner at first
base and the wild throw goes into
the stands. The runners on base
2. The pitcher was off the mound.
If the pitcher was off the mound
at the time of the errant throw,
then the runners get two bases.
An example of this would be a
pitcher fields the baseball and
during his throw to first base,
but he accidentally throws it
into the stands. The runners
would all move two bases.
3. The errant throw was made by an
infielder. If the throw was made by
the catcher, third baseman, short
stop, second baseman or first
baseman, the runners will advance
two bases from where they were as
the previous pitch left the pitcher’s
hand. If a runner was on first base,
a ground ball was hit to the short-
stop and he over-throws the first
baseman, the runner on first will
4. The errant throw was by an
outfielder. This is where how to
award bases in baseball gets a little
trickier. The runners are awarded
two bases from where they were
when the throw left the outfielder’s
hand. If there was a runner on first
who made it to second by the time
the outfielder threw the baseball
that then went into the stands, that
runner would cross home plate
5. The errant throw was the second play
made by an infielder. In this instance, the
runners would be awarded two bases
from where they were when the ball left
the hand of the infielder. For instance,
there’s a runner on first and second and a
ground ball is hit to the third baseman.
The third baseman steps on third to get
the force out and then throws the ball into
the first base stands. When he threw the
ball, the runner was standing on second
base. That runner would then score
because the first play was the third
 6. The rule of thumb. While this discussion
has gotten into the baseball rule 7.05
specifics, there is a ways way to remember
what to do when on the field. First play in
the infield equals the time of pitch. The
second play or any play from the outfield
equals time of release.
Tips:
Carry a pocket rule book with you if you are
coaching or umpiring. That way if this
situation arises, you can point to the rule
right away. This will settle confusion,
BUNOS FACTS!!!
 Two runners may not occupy a base, but if,
while the ball is alive, two runners are
touching a base, the following runner shall
be out when tagged. The preceding runner
is entitled to the base.
When a wild pitch or passed ball goes through
or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher,
and goes directly into the dugout, stands,
above the break, or any area where the ball
is dead, the awarding of bases shall be one
base.
When the ball is dead, no runner may return
to touch a missed base or one he has left