Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 9/27/2009

Question
I am an umpire for both baseball and softball.

I have a question
If their is a runner on 2nd and ground ball is hit to shortstop runner interefers. The call is dead ball right? Runner going from 2nd to 3rd is out. Is the runner who got first on the play also out?

If a runner is stealing home and the batter does not get out of the box and prevents the catcher form tagging the runner. Is it called interference and runner is out? What happens to batter? Is he also out?

Answer
Sara,

In your first situation, it is the umpire's judgement if the batter is also out.  If the umpire feels the runner would have been put out with ordinary effort, then the batter is out.

For stealing home, only the runner is out.  The batter remains at bat.

Hope this helps!

Brian