EZ Bat After Team B Touch (Video)

[TXMike]

As soon as I can fix my computer issues I will post the video.

A punts.  B muffs the kick at their 13, ball is headed to the EZ, Team A player goes airborne and he and the ball are over the EZ when he bats the ball back into the field of play where a teammate grabs it at the 1.   

[Hawkeye]

Wow, I've seen this scenario on a test last year.  B can't tack on the foul since they don't have the ball, so we have to enforce at the previous spot, it is not a loss of down since it was on a scrimmage kick that had crossed the NZ, so A will repeat 4th down with the 10 yard penalty enforced at the previous spot.

I'd love to see this video, it will lend a lot of credence that these situations don't just happen on paper.

[TXMike]

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZM50gS3AKs

[zebra99]

great waterbucket play that actually happened!  too bad they didn't get it right - big difference!!!  or, maybe they felt the bat was not in the EZ, right or wrong?

[TXMike]

The S put his bag in the EZ so he saw that (but may not have seen touch by B).  They were in good position so would be hard to say they did not see it touched over the EZ.

[TxSkyBolt]

So if ruled a bat in the EZ, PSK results in safety?

[TXMike]

No.   PSK does not apply as A is in legal possession at end of down.  Foul during kick so penalize from prev spot.  No loss of down as scrimmage kick was beyond the NZ when batted illegally.

[Hawkeye]

PSK never applies to A fouls.  But it could be a tack-on if B has the ball at the end of the down.

[El Macman]

If the A player gets to the ball at the 1/4 yd line, they get the call right. But he gets to the ball 1/4 yd into the EZ, so that's an illegal bat. Very unfortunate for everyone. This reinforces the need to cover the 'unusual possibilities' (sometimes called dream plays). 20 years ago, we probably would not have seen a play like this in a high school game. But the athletes are simply getting better and better, and, unlike in the past, they can do a lot more of what the college guys can do.

[JasonTX]

In my study group we typically have at least 5 different crazy plays that involve illegaly batting and kicking.  Plays like this one will be a walk in the park for us.     Other officials that come just one time to our study sessions always wonder why we discuss these plays that "will never happen".  This play is a good example of why we make these types of plays up.

[Welpe]

If the A player gets to the ball at the 1/4 yd line, they get the call right. But he gets to the ball 1/4 yd into the EZ, so that's an illegal bat. Very unfortunate for everyone. This reinforces the need to cover the 'unusual possibilities' (sometimes called dream plays). 20 years ago, we probably would not have seen a play like this in a high school game. But the athletes are simply getting better and better, and, unlike in the past, they can do a lot more of what the college guys can do.

Shame he didn't think a little bit further and just grabbed or jumped on the ball.  Would've been an easy six with no (uncalled) foul.

[Rostrom]

  Are you sure the Team B player touch the ball..?

[TxSkyBolt]

I couldnt tell by the replay, but the onfield officials ruled it did.