A dead ball is a ball that is out of play in baseball (or softball). When a dead ball situation occurs, the game is immediately halted, and no further plays can legally occur until the umpire signals for play to resume.
Key Aspects of a Dead Ball
- Out of Play: The most fundamental aspect is that the ball is no longer considered active for the purpose of making plays.
- Halts Play: The action on the field stops immediately. Runners generally cannot advance unless the advancement is a result of an action that occurred before the ball became dead (e.g., a balk).
- Umpire Control: The umpire is responsible for declaring a dead ball and for restarting play.
- Limited Advancement: While the ball is dead, runners may be entitled to advance based on specific circumstances, such as a balk, interference, or a wild pitch/passed ball that occurred before the ball became dead.
Common Scenarios Resulting in a Dead Ball
Here are several situations that cause a dead ball:
- Foul Ball: When a batted ball lands in foul territory and is not caught.
- Hit Batter: When a pitched ball hits a batter, provided the batter attempts to avoid being hit (or had no opportunity to avoid being hit). The batter is awarded first base.
- Interference: When a fielder interferes with a batter, or a batter interferes with a fielder making a play, or a fan interferes with a live ball in play.
- Umpire Time Out: When the umpire calls time out for any reason (e.g., injury, conference).
- Illegal Pitch: When a pitcher makes an illegal pitch (e.g., balk with runners on base).
- Ball Lodged: When a thrown or batted ball becomes lodged in the umpire's or catcher's gear, or becomes lodged in a fence.
- Equipment Thrown: Intentionally throwing equipment at a ball.
Examples of Play During a Dead Ball
Let's illustrate with a scenario:
- Live Ball: The pitcher throws a wild pitch. The catcher retrieves the ball and throws wildly to third base in an attempt to get the runner advancing from second.
- Dead Ball: The errant throw goes into the dugout. The ball becomes dead the instant the ball enters the dugout.
- Runner Advancement: Because the ball went out of play on the throw to third base (which occurred before the ball became dead), the runner from second base is awarded home, and the batter is awarded second base.
Conclusion
In summary, a dead ball signifies that the ball is out of play, temporarily halting the game until the umpire resumes play. Certain circumstances can still allow runners to advance even when the ball is dead, usually due to events that occurred before the ball became dead.
