Expert: Dennis Girardi - 6/27/2010

Question
2 outs bases loaded.   Batter hits hard groundball to the shortstop.  Our runner going to 3rd stops 1 ft from fielder (not in front of fielder)waits for fielder to make play then as soon as the shortstop touches the ball then proceeds to run behind the shortstop.   Ball deflects off of glove then hits back heel of runner and ball rolls into the left field.  As ball was coming towards shorts stop he was backing up and upon missing ball turned to go after the ball the runner and shortstop graze shoulders.  Very very minor contact.   Bottom line if fielder makes a play on grounder inning over.   Runner was called out and run was not allowed.  What is your interpretation of this?

Answer
Hey Richard,
I don't know if I totally understand what happened here, but I'll try.

(Bottom line if fielder makes a play on grounder inning over.) I don't understand that comment.

Once a fielder makes a play and misses the ball, the ball in still alive and play continues. As long as the umpire feels that there was no interference by the runner before the fielder touched the ball.
The ball is not dead if the fielder touches the grounder first, but misses it.
Dennis