With a runner advancing to third base, the second out is recorded at first base. The first baseman, wrongly thinking the play was the third out, tosses the ball to the base umpire who catches the ball and holds it. What is the status of the ball?

• A. The ball stays live and in play.
• B. The ball is immediately dead.
• C. The runner is awarded third base.
• D. B and C.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is that a ball becomes dead the moment an umpire has possession of it. In this situation, two outs have already been recorded (the second out at first base). The first baseman throws the ball to the base umpire, and the umpire catches and holds it. Because the umpire now has the ball, the play is immediately dead. There is no third out to be recorded and no runner is awarded third base as a result of this ball. So the correct status is that the ball is immediately dead.