Quote from: Sem on May 18, 2024, 09:18:39 PMLen, this reminds me of another MLB situation - runner on 1st and the batter hits the ball down the line and a fan touches the ball while it's in play, (and ultimately is kicked out of the stadium), and the hit is ruled a ground rule double. I've heard announcers in the past say that it's within the umpire's the discretion to allow the runner on first to score if, in the umpire's opinion, he would have scored had the fan not interfered. Yet I have never seen this happen, even when it's obvious the runner would have scored. I've only seen the runner on first get two bases and must stay at third.
Can you comment on this?
Steve
If it is within the umpire's ability to do so (which I really don't know it is), it will always be called a ground rule's double. If I am not mistaken, there is only one instance in the MLB rule book that authorizes 3 bases on a play and that is when a fielder throws his glove at a hit ball and makes contact with it. The batter is awarded 3 bases.