Correct Call on Umpire's Interference??

Question

On a third strike, the batter swings and misses. The ball bounces off the catcher and the umpire reacts catching the ball with his hand instinctively. Batter runs towards first and catcher takes the ball from umpire's hand then throws the runner out at first. What is the correct call?

Answer 1

we actually had this happen in a different way,

the ball bounced & got stuck in the umpires equipment & the catcher took it out & threw it to 1st & the runner was still out so i would say he's out

Answer 2

the interference wouldn't be called as he still got the runner out. as ryan said it dosent say in there. so the umpir fine.

i ususally back away from the pass balls and make the catcher get it.

if he didn't umpire would of or should of sent him back.

Answer 3

Ryan has the best answer but in the real world the umpire will know to react to the catcher and not catch the ball.  Even an umpire with miniscule training will know to hold his down position until the catcher commits on his turn and get out of the way.

At least a plausible play would be appreciated.

Answer 4

OUT

Answer 5

Good question, never heard of that happening.  At first I would say dead ball, but after thinking about it the umpire is part of the playing field and the batter would be out.  Isn't it the same as if the Umpire is struck with a batted ball on the field?

Answer 6

Out.

There are only two types of umpire interference:

(1) When an umpire is hit with a fair ball before the ball has touched or passed an infielder; and

(2) When the plate umpire interferes with the catcher's throw in an attempt to retire a runner. This would be the catcher's throwing hand hitting the plate umpire, or the plate umpire hitting the catcher, for some reason.

Your situation doesn't even fit No. 2 because the umpire didn't interfere with a throw. So even if the batter-runner had been safe, no interference occurred.

Answer 7

I have never seen a play like that occur but the runner would be out at first.  The umpire is considered to be part of the playing field and there is no such thing as "Umpire Interference".

Answer 8

He is out!

The umpire is part of the field of play.  The ball remains live, so the catcher taking the ball and completing the play makes the batter out at first.

Answer 9

the batter/runner gets first base if runners on in a force they mover to the next base if not they stsay on the base there on, if your the pitcher you pitch an umpire killer  the next throw lol hope i helped