When does an umpire throw a ball out of play?

Answer 1

MLB Rule 5.08 states: "If a thrown ball accidently touches a base coach, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However, if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out."

MLB Rule 5.09(g) states: " A pitched ball lodges in the umpire's or catcher's mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, runners advance one base; If a foul tip hits the umpire and is caught by a fielder on the rebound, the ball is "dead" and the batsman cannot be called out. The same shall apply where such foul tip lodges in the umpire's mask or other paraphernalia. If a third strike (not a foul tip) passes the catcher and hits an umpire, the ball is in play. If such ball rebounds and is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground, the batsman is not out on such a catch, but the ball remains in play and the batsman may be retired at first base, or touched with the ball for the out. If a pitched ball lodges in the umpire's or catcher's mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, on the third strike or fourth ball, then the batter is entitled to first base and all runners advance one base. If the count on the batter is less than three balls, runners advance one base."

If a pitched ball strikes an umpire the ball is in play. If a pitched ball lodges in the umpire's mask all runners advance one base.

Answer 2

Depending on where the ball was and what it inhibited from happening (i.e. an out or so on) the batter is usually granted a base sort of like if a fan interferes with a catch on an attempted home run saving catch (ground rule double, the batter goes to second base)

Answer 3

Play continues as if the contact didn't happen; in hockey, the umpire is part of the field. In most cases, the umpire will try to move the ball off the field of play, so that they can sort out what happened and prevent either team gaining an advantage from the action.

Answer 4

Rule 2.00 Definition of Terms

A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.

Rule 2.00 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a "ball." If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter swings at such a pitch after two strikes, the ball cannot be caught, for the purposes of Rule 6.05 (c) and 6.09 (b). If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.

An umpire will also call "ball" when a pitch delivered hits a batter outside of the strike zone, and the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball.

Rule 8.01(b) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire's judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball.

Rule 8.01(d) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.

Rule 8.01(d) Comment: A ball which slips out of a pitcher's hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. This would be a balk with men on base.

Rule 8.02 The pitcher shall not-

(a) (1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher's plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher's plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher's plate. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeat offenders shall be subject to a fine by the League President.

The rest of Rule 8.02 explains other things a pitcher cannot do to a ball, such as rubbing it, defacing it, (any other form of cheating), and one of the penalties is:

(d) If the manager of the team at bat does not elect to accept the play, the umpire-in-chief shall call an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk.

Rule 8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball."

Answer 5

If the umpire really ran out of baseballs, the game would have to be stopped until a Baseball could be found. If he runs out of new baseballs, he would have to use the best ones that could be found. He should inform the managers of the situation and get them to agree to use older balls until new ones could be obtained.

Answer 6

The umpire has full discretion to overturn a call if they deem it necessary. The new penalty is simply played out.

Answer 7

depends where the ump is if he is in the field actually on it you continue playing if not on field foul ball.