I've read through this entire list of responses, but my answer is the same as the answer I had after reading the entire scenario, and my answer is as wishy-washy as they come.
I'd really have to see the play unfold before deciding whether to rule as Hayes/Thom or as Jim/Warren did. Since this is a situation not covered by the rules, I don't think this situation is clear cut, and no matter what you decide, the PU will spend a bit of effort admitting that he screwed the pooch.
If the play was a simple one-hopper back to the mound and the pitcher threw to first, I would (as BU) call the BR out and pretend I never heard the plate umpire. If the ball was a chop off of the plate where I could imagine the BR (running it out) beating out a hit, I would be inclined to play it Jim/Warren's way, letting the PU figure out a just ruling. [Why does the BR stop anyway? HE knows the ball was hit off the ground. Maybe that is a good enough reason for calling the BR out. Have to think about that one.]
No matter how one rules, one thing is clear: We've stepped into a situation not covered by the rules. As much as I hate when umpires throw around 9.01(c) like it is their best friend, this is a 9.01(c) situation. This is not umpire interference, although I certainly see why Warren likens it to umpire interference as the ruling MAY be the same as if it were UI.
Regardless of how the umpire rules, he is going to be open for a potential protest. He bought the potential protest by opening his fat mouth in the first place. Instead of trying to figure out a rulebook way of handling this situation (where there's none), the umpire should rule as the play would've likely unfolded absent his fat mouth and then explain that to the protest committee if it comes to that.
This brings about the true "lesson" in this entire play: There is never any good reason to "call" an infield popup, unless you are calling the IF situation. Everybody knows (or should know) the ball was caught. What is the point in announcing something so obvious to the world. Heck, even in this play the fact that the ball hit the ground was obvious to EVERYONE, save the PU.
A similar play happened to me during an Adult game in 1999. I'm BU in B. 1 out, bases loaded. Fly ball hit to right field. F4 dekes everyone out by pretending to camp under the ball. PU calls IF, even though the ball went over the head of the right fielder for an eventual double. We played the ball as if the PU kept his mouth shut, which he should've since he never actually saw the ball. Wonder what we would've done had therunners stopped running....
Rich
co-owner, UT
eContact, RightSports.com
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