Umpire Interference

[BigBlue4u]

In the Miami-Minnesota game, there was an umpire interference call.  Would this rule be better served if the following sentence was added: "When a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder and changes the nature of the play."

 

[johnnyg08]

No. It hit the umpire so it's going to change the nature of the play for someone regardless. 

[dumbdumb]

how about umpire using positioning behind 2nd base which is done in certain situations, and like AL umps use to do, and let IR take over after that, for a missed play call due to working behind 2B, and ump at second must wear Red Jacket. Maybe in future and with ABS umpires will apply to MLB by the position (1BU, 2BU, 3BU, HPU) they would like to work, and that position only for life.

[SeeingEyeDog]

What you did, OP...or what you're trying to do there, OP...I saw that...

I'm not entirely sure the rule needs to be re-written but, of course, in line with my previously expressed beliefs...any conversation is worth having.

You have to ask yourself...at what point is "the play impacted" when a fair batted ball hits an umpire prior to passing a fielder? A 2 degree deflection? A 36.4 degree of deflection? 5 mph of velocity loss? 18.9 mph of velocity loss?

Sure...we have lots of rules in The Game of baseball that are "...in the judgement of the umpire". It's what we do. Philosophically, do we want to add more opportunities for an umpire to exercise judgement?

If you don't want your offensive opportunity at the plate kiboshed "pre-maturely"? Don't hit the umpire with a fair batted ball then. Either these are the best baseball players on the planet or...they are not.

~Dawg