What is the correct procedure for a ball that hits a base umpire?

• A. The ball remains live, and the umpire’s position may influence call.
• B. The ball is dead, and play stops.
• C. The ball remains live, and the call must be made by the nearest umpire.
• D. The ball is foul and runners may advance.

Answer: (A)

When a ball hits an umpire, the ball stays in play. The umpire’s location can influence the ruling because what happens next depends on the ball’s path after contact—whether it would have landed in fair or foul territory, or how it would affect any runners or potential catches. In practice, if the ball would have stayed in fair territory after striking the umpire, it’s ruled a fair ball; if it would have landed foul, it’s ruled a foul ball. The key idea is that contact with an umpire does not deaden the ball; the play remains live and the final call can depend on the umpire’s angle and position.