With the runner from second attempting to advance to third base, the batted ball gets by the third baseman, who was playing in to defend a possible bunt, and contacts the runner. The shortstop is not in a position to make a play on the ball. What is the status of the ball?

• A. The ball is immediately dead.
• B. It is a delayed dead ball.
• C. The ball stays live and in play
• D. The ball remains dead after appeal.

Answer: (C)

When a batted ball is touched by a fielder and then makes contact with a runner, the ball remains live unless a specific dead-ball situation occurs. In this scenario, the third baseman deflects the ball while defending a bunt, and the ball then hits the runner. There’s no rule that automatically deadens the ball simply because a runner was struck after a fielder’s touch, and the shortstop isn’t in position to make a play does not create a dead ball either. So the ball stays in play, and the defense can continue to try to make a play or record outs on subsequent actions while runners may advance.