At almost every level of baseball, umpires are used to make judgment calls that help the game run smoother. Most often, there are two umpires for games at the high school level and below, ranging up to six for a Major League Baseball World Series game. With one umpire always behind the plate and the remaining umpires taking positions in the field, ground rules have been put in place to determine what happens if a ball hits an umpire.
Pitched or Thrown Balls
According to the Baseball Almanac website, if a ball is pitched or thrown and strikes an umpire, the ball is still a live ball. This means a ball delivered by the pitcher that strikes the home plate umpire, as well as fielded balls that strike a field umpire, is still in play. The umpires are treated as part of the field in these circumstances and play will continue if the umpire is struck. Also, if the ball becomes lodged in the umpire's equipment, then the runners on base are awarded one base.
Batted Ball on the Ground
If a batted ball hits an umpire before the ball reaches the infielders---other than the pitcher---the ball is called dead. If the ball passes the infielders and then strikes an umpire, the batter is awarded first base. This most often happens when a ball is hit sharply down either baseline and curves toward the foul line, striking the umpire before he can get out of the way. The batter will take first base, and any runners on base will be awarded one base as well.
Batted Balls in the Air
If a batted ball strikes a field umpire in fair territory, the umpire shall be considered part of the ground. This means that if the ball is caught on a fly off of the deflection, the batter is not out but still may be thrown out at first base. If the ball hits the umpire and then falls to the ground, the ball remains a live ball for a defensive player to field.
Foul Balls
If a foul ball were to deflect off of an umpire and then be caught on a fly by the defensive team, an out will not be awarded. If a foul tip hits the home plate umpire, the ball becomes dead.
Member Comments
wbthornton December 21
The author isn't well versed on the rulings he is writing about. As an umpire I've ruled on umpire interference once; it just doesn't happen often.
A batted ball that hits the umpire before passing an infielder other than the pitcher is dead immediately. The batter is awarded first base and any runners forced to advance move up. Runners not forced go back to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch.
If a batted ball hits an umpire after passing the an infielder other than the pitcher, and no other infielder can make a play, the ball remains live and in play.
A foul ball that hits an umpire is dead immediately. The author states If a foul tip hits the home plate umpire, the ball becomes dead." This is technically impossible. A foul tip, by rule, is a foul ball that goes from the bat directly to the catchers mitt and is caught. If it is not caught, it is not a foul tip. Also the ball remains live after a foul tip.