Umpire Interference with catcher/runner

[Guest Pstark]

Scenario: Runners at 2nd and 3rd. Passed ball, 3B runner steals home, 2B runner moves up to 3rd.  After the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher, the umpire proceeded to move into position to clean the plate (blocking the catchers view of the runner and blocking the possible throw from the pitcher to the catcher).  The runner at 3rd now attempts to steal home and the pitcher turns quickly to see the umpire blocking the catcher and does not throw the ball.  The umpire steps out of the way in time for the runner to score. Umpire states that "no timeout was called" therefore the runner can steal home and is safe.  Is this Umpire Interference and what should the call have been?

[beerguy55]

14 hours ago, Richvee said:

I agree with a whole lot of this, except The red.

I think IF the players did it right...(F1 standing at the plate to receive a throw from F2, or F2 getting back to the plate while F1 gets back to the mound) then there's a good chance the umpire doesn't try to get in front of the plate to clean it if there's fielders standing there. maybe I'm wrong. Not all umpires have good game instincts. But it would be much less likely PU tries cleaning the dish with a fielder standing on it. 

I'm certainly not excusing the umpire from his error in the OP. It's just that the coach's remarks after the OP question was answered (NO umpire INT) scream of a coach looking for a scapegoat instead of learning from and coaching his players to cover passed balls correctly.  

I'll clarify what I mean...ball goes to the fence, F2 throws to F1 to try to get R3...R3 is safe...plate is covered with dirt...R2 is at third base (on base or very close to it, looking for opportunity).

Instead of pouting and walking away from plate, with F2 still at fence, F1 stays at plate until F2 returns...then, F1, while watching R2, walks/jogs back to mound, to get ready for next batter.   So, F1 is on or near mound with the ball, looking at plate/ump/catcher/runner...F2 is at plate, probably in catcher's box, F5 is close to his base.   R2 is now standing on third base or a short leadoff, about to be called R3.  ODB approaches plate.   Everyone is doing everything right.  At this time, PU determines that action is relaxed and it's time to clean plate, which also isn't wrong.   And then, R2/3 thinks "what the Hell, I'll give it a shot, maybe they won't throw with the umpire there", and he runs for the plate.  Now, PU is between F1 and F2, and though the solution is simple (F2, take a step to the left), the fact is the umpire has become an obstacle by his own choice, and now anything can happen - ump doesn't react quickly enough and is in way of throw, umpire actually moves into throw in attempt to get out of way, umpire moves into runner, F1 is actually afraid to hit the umpire and doesn't throw at all, F1 says "Jesus Christ buddy, he's cleaning the plate" and doesn't throw, etc.

All of that is indeed a SH*#show (even if they get the runner), and it's not baseball.  Baseball is not about looking for tactical advantages around umpire maintenance activities, but the umpire, even with the most experience and the best of intentions, creates this tactical scenario when he places himself between two fielders, at a base someone may want - especially with bush league coaches/players.  This rarely happens for two reasons - either the runners assume time is called...or, believe it or not, it's a display of respect and sportsmanship to let the ump do his maintenance and not try to make him look bad.  Being heads up and swiping a base while the umpire isn't looking isn't sportsmanlike, isn't in the spirit of the game, and isn't an activity I want to praise or encourage.  (there are plenty of opportunities to try to get away with stuff in plain sight of the umpire) The easy solution is to call time to do it, at least with a runner on third.  If runners try to go to second or third at least you're not in the way.

[Richvee]

2 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

I'll clarify what I mean...ball goes to the fence, F2 throws to F1 to try to get R3...R3 is safe...plate is covered with dirt...R2 is at third base (on base or very close to it, looking for opportunity).

Instead of pouting and walking away from plate, with F2 still at fence, F1 stays at plate until F2 returns...then, F1, while watching R2, walks/jogs back to mound, to get ready for next batter.   So, F1 is on or near mound with the ball, looking at plate/ump/catcher/runner...F2 is at plate, probably in catcher's box, F5 is close to his base.   R2 is now standing on third base or a short leadoff, about to be called R3.  ODB approaches plate.   Everyone is doing everything right.  At this time, PU determines that action is relaxed and it's time to clean plate, which also isn't wrong.   And then, R2/3 thinks "what the Hell, I'll give it a shot, maybe they won't throw with the umpire there", and he runs for the plate.  Now, PU is between F1 and F2, and though the solution is simple (F2, take a step to the left), the fact is the umpire has become an obstacle by his own choice, and now anything can happen - ump doesn't react quickly enough and is in way of throw, umpire actually moves into throw in attempt to get out of way, umpire moves into runner, F1 is actually afraid to hit the umpire and doesn't throw at all, F1 says "Jesus Christ buddy, he's cleaning the plate" and doesn't throw, etc.

All of that is indeed a SH*#show (even if they get the runner), and it's not baseball.  Baseball is not about looking for tactical advantages around umpire maintenance activities, but the umpire, even with the most experience and the best of intentions, creates this tactical scenario when he places himself between two fielders, at a base someone may want - especially with bush league coaches/players.  This rarely happens for two reasons - either the runners assume time is called...or, believe it or not, it's a display of respect and sportsmanship to let the ump do his maintenance and not try to make him look bad.  Being heads up and swiping a base while the umpire isn't looking isn't sportsmanlike, isn't in the spirit of the game, and isn't an activity I want to praise or encourage.  (there are plenty of opportunities to try to get away with stuff in plain sight of the umpire) The easy solution is to call time to do it, at least with a runner on third.  If runners try to go to second or third at least you're not in the way.

I get that. It's something I think more likely on a 60 or 70 foot field. As mentioned by others, in such cases, don't dilly dally cleaning like it's an archaeological dig site. I'm also not opposed to calling time with R3 (any baserunners for that matter) working solo, especially on a small diamond.  

[noumpere]

50 minutes ago, Richvee said:

I get that. It's something I think more likely on a 60 or 70 foot field.

Agreed.  In general, and as compared with older players on larger fields, players on those fields can run better than they can catch or throw, the runner can be closer to home while still being "close to third," and the umpires are less experienced and aware.  It all changes the benefit / risk ratio.

[WilsonFlyer]

If action had ceased and the PU had simply called "Time!" as he should have, we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

Seriously though. I can't believe you guys are actually advocating and essentially defending an umpire placing himself intentionally into "harm's way" during live play of a baseball game. This is a cluster-you-know-what not only waiting to happen, but creating n excuse for it to happen. Maybe the dirty plate would wait, I'll give you that, but creating a situation intentionally that could produce a horrendous situation as a result seems to go against the entire philosophy of why we are supposed to be there in the first place. You guys are trying to defend an action (or lack thereof in this case) that you shouldn't be defending to begin with, especially with a runner on 3B. With a two-man+ crew and runners anywhere else, maybe, but to try to defend not calling a 25 second TO here is ludicrous at best and downright asinine at worst.