Question: In high school baseball and softball, runner on first base; three balls, two strikes on batter; pitch hit hands as batter swings and ball rolls fair. Defense makes play on ball by gaining a double play. Does play stand? Live/dead ball?

Answer: Dead ball; batter is hit by pitch but is ruled out due to swing on strike three. Hands are not considered part of bat. Runner returns. (BB – Rule 7, Sec. 2, Art. 1(b); SB – Rule 8-1-1(b) Pen. 2)

Question: In softball only, runners on second and first; one out; batter-runner hits fair ball to pitcher; batter-runner avoids/delays tag by stepping back toward home plate, thereby allowing baserunners to advance. Legal action?

Answer: Illegal action; dead ball; batter-runner called out; runners return to last base touched at time of interference (action). Rule is only in effect for action by batter-runner retreating toward home. (SB – Rule 8-2-8, Pen.)