What's the call?

[Mary P]

Catcher thinks there are 3 outs and tosses the ball to the umpire and starts off the field, runner at third proceeds to home and umpire calls him safe. Is the ball still in play even in the umpires hands? Actually I forgot to mention that the ump had the ball in his hands when the runner crossed home plate. He made no call whatsoever but let the run count.

[Edited by Mary P on May 9th, 2001 at 03:32 PM]

[Gre144]

If I were the umpire, I would drop the ball and immediately say that the ball is live.

I had a similar scenario in which I interfered with the catchers throw to thrid base causing him to over throw the ball which allowed R2 to score. I let the play stand but I am not sure if this is the right call.

I guess the question to be asked might be the following:

Is there a rule for umpire interference on a thrown ball that does not lodge in the umpire's uniform? In other words, what is the call when the umpire definately affects the play that does not involve a batted ball?

[Edited by Gre144 on May 9th, 2001 at 12:05 AM]

Yes that would be umpire interference. Look at the interference definition in rule 2.00 and it's spelled out there.

[Edited by Michael Taylor on May 9th, 2001 at 10:09 PM]

[Tim C]

If I was the BU I'd try to throw the guy OUT!!!!

[BJ Moose]

You didn't say if Doofus Umpire "caught" the ball or not?

If Doofus DID... then you have to just make something up, because you are in a world of hurt, do what is fair.

NOTE: FED rules actually DO say that this becomes a DEAD ball, no advance.

Famous Antlered Arbiter

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Mary P

Catcher thinks there are 3 outs and tosses the ball to the umpire and starts off the field, runner at third proceeds to home and umpire calls him safe. Is the ball still in play even in the umpires hands?

Mary I differ from the norm on this one. First off your scenario seldom happens so here's what I do.

If there are 2 outs and F2 throws me the ball, I simply step aside and say "hey Catch there are only 2 outs"

EXCEPTION: If the runner(s) on base are smart and they take off for the next base as soon as they see F2 throw me the ball and head for the dugout, I will then say nothing.

Why! Granted as an umpire I should be impartial but I am also there for "fair play". Personally, I cannot see allowing a cheap run other than in the exception noted above because F2 forgot how may outs there were.

Now if F2 is constantly forgetting how many outs there are that's a different story, but as mentioned F2 not knowing how many outs there are is a rarity.

Pete Booth

[rex]

Da MOOOOOOSE is back. Thanx! I can identify with him, the other strange person, well, he was weird.


rex

[senior]

Da Moose is back!!!!

Does that mean the EWS didn't really disband?

Will we be getting into lively debate again, instead of the generic, non-offense banter?

Will much time elapse before Bfair, HHH, CC, WW, et.al., are resurrected, and interesting posts again become the norm?

I can hardly wait!

[Bfair]

Of course, Senior, it is also noticeable that you only visit infrequently. Certainly you can make more effort also. Your thoughts are always appreciated.

EWS remains although I suspect your desired discussions may not. Some took their ball and went home.

Steve

[Gre144]

What if the batter-runner, thinking there is 3 outs, puts the ball down the umpire's pants and the runner proceeds to home. Do you call umpire interference and return/advance the base runners to the preceding/succeeding base or is the ball live until the umpire calls time?