Question 1
R1 and R3. 1 Out. 0-0 count to new batter, B3.
On the first pitch to B3, R1 is attempting to steal. B3 swings and misses at the pitch and comes out of the batter’s box in front of home plate as F2 throws down to 2nd base. The Plate Umpire points and says, “That’s interference”. F4 cuts off the throw between the pitcher’s mound and 2nd base who then throws home to F2. R3, who took off for home in an attempt to score after F2’s initial throw, is subsequently tagged out by F2 before touching home plate.
As the Plate Umpire, what is your ruling after the end of this play? How many outs are there now? Where are runners placed, if play doesn’t stand as is?
Once the attempt to retire R1 at 2B was unsuccessful, time is called and the penalty for interference is enforced. Since time was called, the subsequent play on R3 at home can not happen because the ball was dead at that point. And since there was less than 2 outs, the batter is ruled out and runners are returned to the bases occupied at the time of pitch.
So now there are 2 outs, R1 and R3 are place back at 1B and 3B, respectively. B4 now comes to bat.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
RULE 7-3-5 PENALTY
PENALTY: When there are two outs, the batter is out. When there are not two outs and the runner is advancing to home plate, if the runner is tagged out, the ball remains live and interference is ignored. Otherwise, the ball is dead and the runner is called out. When an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the batter is out and all runners must return to bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire's judgment interference prevents a possible double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out.
Case Book 5.1.2. SITUATION C
Take note that the penalty for calling the runner out advancing to home plate occurs if R3 is attempting to score when the interference takes place. An example of this would be the batter swinging at and hitting a thrown ball by the pitcher after he legally disengaged the pitcher’s plate in an attempt to retire R3 trying to steal home.
Question 2
R1, R2, and R3. 0 Outs. 0-0 count to new batter, B4.
B4 hits a ground ball to F4. As F4 is fielding the ball, R1 unintentionally makes contact with F4. F4 flips the ball to F6 at 2nd base before R1 arrives. R3 crosses home plate, R2 advances to 3B and BR reaches 1B.
As the base umpire, since contact was unintentional, what is your ruling or do you say “that’s nothing”? How many outs are there now at the conclusion of play? Where are runners placed, if play doesn’t stand as is?
The fact that the contact was unintentional is irrelevant. A runner must not interfere with any fielder attempting to field a batted ball by avoiding contact with the fielder. At the moment of interference, time should have been called.
So now there is 1 out, as R1 is ruled out. R3’s run does NOT count and R2 and R3 are returned to 2B and 3B, respectively. BR is placed at 1B.
HOWEVER…if in the judgment, the interference prevented a possible double play from happening, the umpire may declare 2 outs. R1 and BR would be ruled out, while R2 and R3 are returned to 2B and 3B, respectively.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
RULE 8-4-2 a
Case Book 8.4.2. SITUATION D
Question 3
R2 1 Out 2-2 count to batter, B3.
R2 is attempting to steal 3B on the pitch. B3 swings and misses, but the bat makes contact with F2’s glove. Plate umpire points and says, “That’s interference (even though it is catcher obstruction)”. The throw from F2 to F5 is in time to retire R2.
As Plate Umpire what is your ruling? How many outs are there now at the conclusion of play? Where should runners placed?
B3 is awarded 1B due to the obstruction from F2’s glove. R2, since he was attempting to steal 3B on the pitch, is awarded 3B. Had R2 not been attempting to steal on the pitch, R2 would not be awarded 3B. Runners not attempting to steal on a “catcher’s interference” are only awarded an advanced base if forced to move up.
So there is still only 1 out. There are now runners at 1st and 3rd, B4 comes to bat.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
RULE 8-1-1 e (1)
Case Book 8.1.1. SITUATION J
Question 4
R3 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B3.
B3 hits a deep fly ball down the Left Field line. R3, thinking that there are 2 outs, is slowly jogging towards home plate, when 3rd base coach makes a swiping motion for R3 to get back to the 3B bag for a possible tag up situation. In making the swiping motion, the 3rd base coach inadvertently touches R3’s jersey sleeve. The Plate Umpire, while he is following the batted ball, sees the contact between the 3rd base coach and R3. Just moments later, the ball clears the fence for a Home Run.
As Plate Umpire what is your ruling? How many outs are there now at the conclusion of play? How many runs, if any, are allowed to score?
R3 is immediately declared out for coach’s physical assistance while the play was still live. The ball would continue to remain live and any subsequent advance by runners should be allowed. Once the ball cleared the fence for a Home Run, the ball is dead.
So there are now 2 outs. The BR’s four base award is granted. One run is scored and the bases are now empty with B4 coming to bat.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
RULE 3-2-2 & RULE 8-4-2 s
Case Book 3.2.2. SITUATION B
Question 5
R1 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B2 is due up at bat.
B3 is erroneously batting in B2’s spot in the batting order. R1 successfully steals 2B on the first pitch of the at bat. On the second pitch of the at bat, B3 hits a double and R1 scores. After the play has ended and before the pitch to the next batter, the defensive head coach requests time and correctly claims that the offense has batted out of order.
As Plate Umpire what is your ruling? How many outs are there now? Who should now come to bat as the proper batter? Where should runner(s), if any, be placed?
B2 is supposed to be the proper batter. Once the defense properly appeals the irregularity that B3 is an improper batter, an out is declared on B2. The run that scored is nullified.
So there are now 2 outs. R1 who had stolen 2B on the 1st pitch of the at bat to the improper batter did so on his own merit and shall be placed back at 2B. The proper batter is now B3, who gets to bat a second time, but this time legally.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
RULE 7-1-1
Case Book 7.1.2. SITUATION A
