Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 9/10/2008

Question
If while a pitcher is warming up in the bullpen and a ball bounces out of the bullpen and into the field of play and at the same time the regulation ball in the game is hit to the same area of the field and lands on or near the errant ball what is the ruling?

thanks,
rj

Answer
RJ,

Typically, if there is a ball that goes into play (between plays), the umpire will call time and suspend play until the ball (or other object) is removed from play.

However, if the interfering object goes into play during a live play, then the play remains live until it is over by whatever normal means occur (out made, players reach base, etc.).  This is the case as long as the umpire believes the object was put in the field of play unintentionally.

If the umpire believes the object was thrown on the field intentionally, then the umpire calls play over immediately and, quoted directly from the rulebook, "...shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference."

So the umpire must judge the situation and proceed based on his judgement.

Hope this helps!

Brian