Stump the Ump Answers– January 2008

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Situation 1: JR/SR/BL – No one on…no outs. The batter is called out on “strike three.” The pitch eludes the catcher and rolls toward the first base dugout. The batter-runner takes off for first and is running in fair territory when the catcher’s throw to first hits him/her. He/she has advanced about two-thirds of the way to first when he/she is struck by the ball. IS HE/SHE OUT?

Answer: Situation 1: 6.05(j)/7.09(k). In this case, the catcher made an errant throw. Though the batter-runner was not in his/her runner’s lane, his/her position when hit did not interfere with the play. The play stands.

Situation 2: JR/SR/BLBB – Bases loaded…2-2 count. As the pitcher winds up the ball slips out of his/her hand and rolls toward the third base foul line. The catcher retrieves the ball before it crosses the foul line and prevents the runners from advancing.. WHAT’S YOUR CALL?

Answer: Situation 2: 8.01(d) NOTE. Score the runner from third and award all other runners one base. This is treated as a balk. Count remains 2-2.

Situation 3: There is no score after six full innings, lightning strikes a transformer near the ball park and the lights go out. When it becomes apparent that the game cannot be continued…the umpires call the game. Since six full innings have been played…IS THIS A TIE GAME? OR DOES PLAY RESUME IN THE TOP OF THE 7TH?

Answer: Situation 3: 4.12. This is a tie game that must be resumed in the top of the 7th inning.

Situation 4: The runner from third is attempting to score on a close play at the plate. The catcher and runner collide. The collision causes the ball to pop out of his/her mitt…but the dazed runner cannot touch home before the catcher recovers the ball and tags him/her. IS THE RUNNER OUT?

Answer: Situation 4: 7.06(a, b). The runner is out. The catcher has a right to block the plate when he/she has the ball.

Situation 5: Runner on first…no outs. The batter smashes a line drive back to the pitcher. In self defense…he/she throws his/her glove hand up and deflects the ball onto the ground near the mound. The second baseman charges to retrieve the ball as the runner from first collides with him/her. IS THE RUNNER OUT FOR INTERFERING?

Answer: Situation 5: 7.06(a)/7.09(l). On the contrary…since the second baseman had no legitimate chance to retire a runner, the fielder is guilty of obstruction. Runner to second…batter-runner to first.

Situation 6: JR/SR/BL – One out…the runner from first is running on the pitch…the batter hits a fly ball to right field. After the catch…the runner misses second in his/her retreat back to first. The right fielder throws wildly into the stands trying to double up the returning runner. The runner reaches first safely and is awarded third base. MAY THE DEFENSE APPEAL THE ORIGINAL MISSED BASE?

Answer: Situation 6. 7.10(b). An appeal shall be upheld if properly made. A player may not retouch a missed base properly after having touched a subsequent base when the ball is dead.

Situation 7: JR/SR/BL – Runner on first and third…no outs. The runner on first is stealing on the pitch as the batter hits a grounder to the second baseman. The runner from first anticipates a double play so he/she intentionally grabs the shortstop who is covering second. The umpire properly rules a double play. DO YOU ALLOW THIS RUN?

Answer: Situation 7: 7.09 PENALTY. This run does not count. On the interference the ball becomes dead and no runners may advance. Return the runner to third.

Situation 8: Runners on first and second…one out. Batter hits a pop-up near second base; the umpire declares “infield fly, the batter is out!” A gust of wind catches the ball…causing the shortstop to miss it…however…the runner is off second base and struck by the ball before it touches the ground. WHO IS OUT?

Answer: Situation 8: 7.08(f) NOTE 1. The batter is declared out on the “infield fly” and the runner is out for being hit by a live-batted ball. It’s a double play.

Situation 9: Runner on first base…the batter hits a fly ball down the right field line that curves foul as it enters the grandstand. The runner on his/her way to third stops and cuts across the infield as he/she returns to first, when a new ball is put into play….an appeal is made that second base was missed. IS THE RUNNER OUT?

Answer: Situation 9: 5.09(e)/7.02. When the ball is dead following a foul ball not caught….a runner may go directly to his/her original base. The runner is not out.

Situation 10: Bases loaded…no outs. The batter dribbles a ground ball back to the pitcher. He/she fires home for the force out. The catcher then throws wildly to the third baseman who deflects the ball into the dugout. AS THE UMPIRE… WHERE DO YOU PLACE THE RUNNERS?

Answer: Situation 10: 7.05(g). The award is two bases from the time the catcher released the throw. The runner from second scores…the runner from first is awarded third…and the batter-runner goes to second.