2007-06-03 15:58:07 · 10 answers · asked by semaj22244 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
MLB Rule 5.09(f):
"The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when . . . A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher. (Rule 5.09(f) Comment: If a fair ball touches an umpire working in the infield after it has bounded past, or over, the pitcher, it is a dead ball. If a batted ball is deflected by a fielder in fair territory and hits a runner or an umpire while still in flight and then is caught by an infielder it shall not be a catch, but the ball shall remain in play.)"
So, in short - it's dead.
2007-06-03 16:15:33 · answer #1 · answered by JerH1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends.
If a batted ball hits an umpire in foul territory, it's a foul ball and the ball is dead. It cannot be caught for an out.
If a fair batted ball hits an umpire before the ball has passed an infielder other than the pitcher, then the ball is dead and the batter-runner is awarded first with a single. Runners do not advance unless forced.
If a fair batted ball hits an umpire after it has touched an infielder, including the pitcher, then the ball remains live and play continues.
If a fair batted ball hits an umpire after passing an infielder other than the pitcher, then the ball remains live and play continues.
No fair batted ball that touches an umpire in flight can be caught for an out.
2007-06-04 02:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(f) A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher the ball is dead.
Comment: If a fair ball touches an umpire working in the infield after it has bounded past, or over, the pitcher, it is a dead ball. If a batted ball is deflected by a fielder in fair territory and hits a runner or an umpire while still in flight and then is caught by an infielder it shall not be a catch, but the ball shall remain in play.
A batted ball striking an umpire in foul territory is always dead ball.
The rules for high school, college and youth leagues are the same.
This is why you always see the umpires standing in foul territory (1st and 3rd) and the 2nd base umpire right outside the infield when there's no one on that base.
2007-06-03 23:12:26 · answer #3 · answered by Tim the Enchanter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To summarize Ryan's correct answer -- if the umpire is inside the diamond and touched by the ball before any fielder touches it it is dead all other scenarios by rule is live (foul ball is dead when it touches anything in foul territory)
2007-06-04 05:56:12 · answer #4 · answered by david w 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The umpires are considered as part of the playing field, so it is as if it hits the ground. It is a live ball unless the umpire is standing in foul territory. I hope i helped!
2007-06-03 23:05:21 · answer #5 · answered by Mason F 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
when hit in fair grounds, the ball is still live because during the USSSA tournament in St. Louis, MO, an umpire took a line drive to the NUTS while standing in fair territory and the ball stayed live.
2007-06-03 23:10:00 · answer #6 · answered by Just me 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its live... just like when a football player runs into ref, a soccer ball is kicked into a ref... the ball is still in play. I was wondering the same thing until the Padres lined a ball up the middle and hit the ump sending the ball to right field - they got a hit for it.
2007-06-03 23:04:39 · answer #7 · answered by BRANDON!! 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its a live ball...
2007-06-03 23:03:25 · answer #8 · answered by ajn4664_ksu 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
live
2007-06-03 23:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by Andrew E 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if the ump is on fair ground it's in play.
2007-06-03 23:05:37 · answer #10 · answered by shotgun 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋