Ball Hits Umpire
 

Hi all,

I had a situation in a high school exhibition this past week. I wasn't actually umpiring, I was a spectator. There was a runner on third and a hard ground ball hit the base umpire who was working behind the pitcher. The play was called dead immediately and the umpire (after shaking it off), the batter was awarded first base and the runner at third was placed back at third.

I am 95% sure that the ball would have gone up the middle for a single had the interference not occured. Therefore, should the runner be awarded home? Does that matter?

Thanks!

Baseball North,

As described, this is a classic example of umpire interference. The ball is dead, the batter is awarded 1B, and any other runners return to their TOP base unless forced by the batter's award of 1B.

JM

OK - thanks. Appreciate it.

Good luck on your level 3 exam. LOL

5-1-1 in 2005 book and BR credited with single for you record keepers.

If an umpire playing behind an infielder, like a 2nd base umpire in 4 man, gets hit. what happens to the ball then? it stays live and the plays progresses as usual?

Joe

Yes. Same as in 2-man if the BU is working in A down 1st base line and gets hit.