INTERFERENCE
QUESTION: In high school, baseball only, runners on second and first base; two outs; base umpire is in slot position inside the infield. Batter hits ground ball which deflects off base umpire’s leg toward the shortstop who fields ball and throws to first base for apparent third out. Legal play by defense? Is ball live or dead when contacting base umpire? Is this umpire interference?
ANSWER: Dead ball; interference by base umpire; batter gains first base award and both runners advance one base due to batter gaining first base. In baseball only, a base umpire is stationed inside field in either B (between second and first) or C slot (between second and third) with runners on base.
In softball, a base umpire is positioned behind the second base person or shortstop with runners on base. In above, batter is credited with a base hit. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 1, Art. 2, b; Rule 9-3-2,b and Rule 5-1-1, f).
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, two outs, runner on first base; batter hits ground ball which contacts runner advancing to second base. Ump calls dead ball, interference and runner is called out for third out. Correct call? If correct, is this a fielder’s choice play? Is this scored a base hit for batter or does same batter lead off the next inning?
ANSWER: Dead ball; runner interference; runner is called out; batter is credited with a base hit in scorebook despite third out. New, succeeding batter leads off the next inning. (BB- same rules as noted above) (SB- Rule 5-1-1, f; Rule 8-1-2, a and Rule 9-1-3, b).
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LEGAL CATCH
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, batter hits ground ball to third base person who throws to first. The first base person juggles ball which rolls up arm and is clamped against body by elbow as batter contacts first base. Umpire rules batter-runner safe? Correct call?
ANSWER: Correct call as runner is declared safe. The ball was not secured in hand or glove, hence, this action is not considered a catch (BB- Rule 2, Sec. 9, Art. 1; SB- Rule 2. Sec. 9, Art. 5, a).
QUESTION: Batter hits fair fly ball to left fielder who catches ball in glove. When he/she reaches into glove to make a throw, the ball drops to ground. Legal catch?
ANSWER: This is considered a legal catch if umpire judged the ball was dropped in the transfer of ball in glove to hand. This transfer is deemed a secondary action following the possession, control and initial catch. When a fielder demonstrates initial continuing action is completed and a new action (removing ball from glove) follows, legal catch is ruled. (BB and SB- same Rules as noted above).
