Umpire interference

[Guest Sir Callahan]

Simple Q - it's not umpire int. if the ball passes an infielder, right? Does it have to pass immediately by or through an infielder or just past where the infielders are standing? 

Say the second base ump is just on the OF grass and for whatever reason a sharp line drive hits him because he didn't get out of the way. Is it a live ball and not int. if it hits him and the Shortstop/second baseman didn't have time to move into his vicinity? (It passes the plane of where they're standing). OR say it hits the third or first base ump when the infielders are shifted and away from the immediate area of the umps?

Hope that's clear enough

[timelydew]

12 minutes ago, Guest Sir Callahan said:

Simple Q - it's not umpire int. if the ball passes an infielder, right? Does it have to pass immediately by or through an infielder or just past where the infielders are standing? 

Say the second base ump is just on the OF grass and for whatever reason a sharp line drive hits him because he didn't get out of the way. Is it a live ball and not int. if it hits him and the Shortstop/second baseman didn't have time to move into his vicinity? (It passes the plane of where they're standing). OR say it hits the third or first base ump when the infielders are shifted and away from the immediate area of the umps?

Hope that's clear enough

I understand you. You're thinking of base runner interference in regards to the "through or immediately by" part. That has nothing to do with UI. As long as the batted ball passes, as you say, the "plane" of wherever the infielders are standing, it's a live ball and no UI. Think of where the infielders are and draw an invisible line. If the ball crosses that invisible line and strikes an ump standing in fair territory behind it, it's a live ball. If the ball strikes an ump before passing that line, UI. Pretty easy call and it's really only the 2B ump who's susceptible to it.