Quote:
Originally posted by Mark Land
Discussion from another board on which I would like your input. Please excuse the long wind up before the question. Situation: R1. B/R hits ball down sharply in front of the plate; it bounces high into the air to F1. As soon as F1 gloves the ball, UIC (erroneously) yells, "OUT!" R1 continues to 2nd; B/R stops running. F1 throws to 1st. The initial question was: What does BU do when UIC makes his call. The only opinion offered was nothing during the play. If UIC asks BU after the play BU could tell UIC what he saw. The question then becomes: what do you do now? UIC now realizes he was wrong.
How do you unravel the mess?
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Personally, Mark, I would treat this the same as Umpire's Interference, which is the nearest rule that you could apply. The umpire interfered verbally with the true course of play. Place the BR at 1st and runners advance only if forced. That's what would have happened if the umpire had been hit by the batted ball before a fielder had a chance to make a play, so IMHO that's the best course to take.
BU has to tell PU what he saw. If PU chooses to act, and I believe he should, then the above course is the most appropriate. I don't believe in getting into "what if" speculation about the possible outcomes of such plays. Use 9.01(c) as a justification by all means BUT at least make a decision as near as possible to one that already exists in the book for any similar situation. That's the best way to ensure any subsequent protest will fail.
Cheers,
Warren Willson