Umpire's interference
Two narrow cases: the plate umpire hinders the catcher's throw on a steal or pickoff attempt, or a fair batted ball strikes an umpire before passing an infielder. The first sends the runners back; the second is a dead ball with the batter awarded first.
- Catcher's throw clipped by the umpire: delayed dead — if the runner is retired anyway, the out stands; otherwise runners return.
- Fair ball off the umpire before it passes an infielder (other than the pitcher): dead ball, batter takes first, runners advance only if forced.
- Ball off the umpire after passing an infielder: live, play on — the umpire is part of the field at that point.
- An umpire struck by a thrown ball is nothing at all: play continues.
Hot grounder up the middle hits the second-base umpire a step in front of the shortstop.
Ruling · Dead ball. Batter is awarded first and runners move only if forced — the ball never legally reached the defense.
Converts live balls into dead-ball awards (or wipes out caught stealings) on pure geometry — where the umpire stood decides the play.
Reference note: one or more section citations on this page are being verified against the current official rulebook edition. The explanation reflects the rule as played; confirm the exact subsection in the official text.