Running LCS thread

Terrible inning for Sabathia.

 

It did. But I think in that situation -- ball knocked out of play be fielder -- the umpire has the discretion to award another base, right?

 

I think so, but you'd have to ask buckweaver, because he knows. He just does.

 

Here's what I got from the MLB Rule Book:

INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter- runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
Rule 2.00 (Interference) Comment: In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
(c) Umpire’s interference occurs (1) When an umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base, or (2) When a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder.
(d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball.
On any interference the ball is dead.

It didn't mention anything in terms of a defensive player causing the ball to go out of play. I assume it's by the umpire's discretion, but I don't think I've ever seen an instance like that happen. I remember Canseco and Devon White knocking fly balls over the fence for home runs, but those were cut-and-dry calls.

 

That has nothing to do with interference, Mike.

If an outfielder knocks a fly ball over the wall, it's a home run. This ball bounced, hit Gutierrez's glove and went into the seats... by any definition a ground rule double unless the ump felt it was done intentionalyy to prevent the batter from getting more than a double.
Hell, if Gutierrez fields that cleanly, he might hold Lowell to a single.

 

Jeez, every fanbase in baseball would do that and you know it.

 

See, I knew it! I knew buck would know.

 

I know the home run calls weren't interference. I'm talking about a player knocking a ball out of play. If the ball doesn't hit the ground and leaves in fair territory, it's a home run.

I mentioned the interference rule in the case of a fan touching it.

The only section of the rulebook I found that would back the umpire awarding an extra base is in 9.04.a: (9) The umpire may announce any special ground rules, at his discretion.

 

Never mind, then.

 

No, that's what I meant, that the ump has the "discretion" -- if he thinks the ball was purposely deflected OB -- to award the extra base.

You almost never see them do so, however.

 

But that was not close to purposely deflected, Zeke... not that it matters any more.

 

Well, I think where you might see it is if a guy bobbles the ball and it goes out -- but you're both right that it wasn't, I just couldn't remember if the ump had the discretion or if it was hard and fast.