Here is a play that happened in Dalton, GA this past weekend as was described to me:
Runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs.
Batter hits a line drive that strikes the pitchers forearm. It ricochets in the air to the second baseman who catches it. ( ball never touched the ground) After the pitcher was hit the runners on first and second were off running to the next bases. The second baseman flipped it to short and short flipped it to first to catch both runners apparently leaving early. Umpire ended up ruling a triple play.
I was not there and only describing how it was told to me. Perhaps someone who was there and witnessed this can correct me if this is wrong.
Presuming this is how the play happened did the umpire(s) make the correct call?

stick8 ... The umpire(s) MAY have gotten it right, and I believe being correct hinges on the exact moment the base runners left 1B and 2B, respectively ... There is no doubt the batter is out on the caught line drive glancing off the pitcher and being caught by the 2B before it touched the ground (or an umpire or another offensive player) ...

If the statement "..After the pitcher was hit the runners on first and second were off running.." is accurate as to timing, they met the requirement for a valid "tag up" ... The criteria is generally defined as being after the first touch by a defensive player ... It's usually the person catching the ball, but in this case, it was the moment of striking the arm of the pitcher ... If, in the umpires judgment, your facts reported are accurate, I have the batter OUT and the runners SAFE in the absence of a tag ... Merely tossing the ball to a defender covering the base would be insufficient to retire a baserunner who has validly "tagged up" ... If either baserunner was tagged before getting back to the original base, he would also be OUT ...

Interesting hypothetical for those of us not there ... Thanks!

stick8.. this doesn't happen to often and I really hate putting it in writing but I have to agree with DD's answer on your scenario

...Even a blind rooster can nab a kernel of corn from a cluttered barnyard once in a while...

FWIW, I received a call from the onsite UIC and umpire as this situation unfolded on Friday, then again on Sunday. Then a lengthy email on Monday.


During the Friday call, we walked through the play and I asked 2 questions of the umpire;

1) Did R1 and R2 leave their bases before the batted ball contacted the pitcher?

2) In your judgment, did either runner appear to process the deflection and think "first touch, I'm ok to advance"?

In his mind, both runners had left on bat / ball contact, and neither seemed to have that thought in their mind during the 1/2 second where all of this took place.

With that info, I agreed with the umpire and on-site UIC. Triple play.


Tim

With that "revision" of the original purported facts as reported by stick8, I would concur with the call as made ... It's still all about the timing of when R1 and R2 departed their respective bases as related to the ball striking the pitcher's arm ...

I saw this. Our game was next. Line drive missle went off the Pitchers gloved hand and was caught by the middle infielder who was playing behind second base at the edge of the infield.

The middle infielder tossed the ball to his shortstop who tagged the second base runner who was NOT on the Base.The runner that was on Firstbase was between first and second base (Closer to second)Tagged by the shortstop as well.There was no throw to firstbase.Both runners were "tagged"by the Short Stop.

Caught batted ball. Tagged runner.Tagged runner

As stated I was not there to witness this play. The person who described this to me was playing in this game and also umpires for me. Perhaps I misinterpreted what he told me.
Overall, DD’s post is correct. (BJ, I get that it’s tough for you but you’re still the fastest umpire in the country!! ????
Since the umpire had both runners leaving before the first touch (by the pitcher) both runners would be subject to be put out by a fielder with ball possession touching the base they vacated—akin to the “leaving early” scenario.
Reading sloball1’s version with both runners being tagged while off base (presuming the umpire didn’t kill the play) I’d have both those runners out, thus a triple play.
I’d imagine there would be confusion on this since Tim stated this happened in a half a second.
The old phrase we’ve all heard our whole career from base coaches of “see it thru” definitely applies here!