Question: In high school baseball and softball, runner on first base attempts to steal second; catcher’s arm accidentally bumps the umpire’s mask during throw to second as the runner is ruled safe due to late throw. Does play stand? Is this umpire interference?
Answer: Interference by plate umpire caused the late throw, hence runner must return to first base. If runner was retired despite the contact, the play would stand and interference is ignored (BB – Rule 2, Sec. 21, Art. 2; BB & SB – Rule 5, Sec. 1, Art. 2(c)).
Question: Runner on second base; following a caught pitch, the umpire inadvertently brushes the catcher’s arm on the throw back to the pitcher. Runner advances to third on the mishap. Legal advance?
Answer: Umpire interference is ruled and runner must return to base at time of pitch (BB & SB – Rule 5-1-1(h) and Rule 5-1-2(c)).