What's the ruling?

[T-Rav]

I had a fellow umpire tell me this scenario:

 

R1, F1 disengages the rubber and attempts a pick off move to 1st. F1 airmails the ball and it is goes into the offensive team's bullpen and hits a bullpen catcher who isn't paying attention and does not go any farther. If it had not hit the bullpen F2 it would have easily gone out of play. R1 easily reaches and stops at 3rd. 

 

A) What would you rule?

 

B) If it had been picked up and subsequently dropped by the bullpen F2 what would you rule?

 

C) Would the ruling be different if it is the defensive teams bullpen?

[Replacematt]

Assuming the bullpen is live...

 

A) Play on.

 

B) God rule. Put runners where they would have reached, unless intended to interfere. 

 

C) God rule.

[DVA7130]

Play ball. Safe sign and watch on.

If they pick it up/ purposely affect the ball, it is interference by someone authorized to be on the field and its up to our judgment where the runner should go. Which bullpen might possibly affect that but not for certain.

[maven]

1. OBR 3.15 applies here. If the ball hits F2, that's "unintentional" INT by a person authorized to be on the field. Live ball, play on.
2. If F2 picks it up, that's "intentional" INT. The ball is dead, the umpire will award bases or outs according to his best judgment of what would have happened. In the play described, same outcome as (1).
3. No different.

I'd rule the same for FED: "spectator INT" per 2-21-3 if an authorized person picks up the ball, otherwise, play on (no INT).

[noumpere]

 

B) God rule. Put runners where they would have reached, unless intended to interfere. 

 

 

 

Since F2 picked up the ball, he did "intend" to interfere, as this rule is interpreted.  That's why it's the "god rule" (3.15 or so).  The "did not intend to interfere" is play A.

 

I know you know, but just want to clarify for others.

[Replacematt]

B) God rule. Put runners where they would have reached, unless intended to interfere.

 

Since F2 picked up the ball, he did "intend" to interfere, as this rule is interpreted.  That's why it's the "god rule" (3.15 or so).  The "did not intend to interfere" is play A.

 

I know you know, but just want to clarify for others.

I'll clarify further: per MLBUM 6.16 (I think,) if a person authorized to be on the field (offensive, defensive, otherwise) voluntarily touches the ball (that is, actually makes an effort to do something to it and succeeds,) the ball is dead and the god rule is invoked. If it's an offensive person, with the intent to intefere, the ball is dead and all runners (with the exception of the runner called out for interference) return to their bases TOI. If the ball touches someone involuntarily, it's play on.

[johnnyg08]

PBUC:

 

“3.28 DUGOUT AND BULLPEN SAFETY

For the safety of all on-field personnel it is imperative that umpires strive to ensure that all equipment, including but not limited to balls, bats, gloves, etc. be confined to the dugout when not in use.

No equipment is permitted to be left on the top step (lip) of the dugout. If a ball hits equipment left on the top step, it is dead.

Chairs should not be permitted on the playing field unless specifically authorized in the ground rules.

In ballparks where the bullpen is on the field of play, umpires must not allow bullpen chairs and benches to be pulled away from the wall and angled towards the diamond. This presents a serious problem regarding ground rules and potential interference.

Umpires should instruct players to keep chairs and benches against the side wall. If a player is defiant and refuses, the manager should be informed, and if the problem persists, the player is subject to ejectionâ€

 

Excerpt From: Dellinger, Dusty. “2014 Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. Umpire Manual.†iBooks. https://itun.es/us/YXLW2.l