Runner Prevents Double Play by Fielding Ground Ball - Is That Legal?

Have you ever seen a baserunner field a ground ball? During July 1's La Crosse Loggers vs Duluth Huskies game in the Northwoods League, runner R2 Ethan Surowiec sought to prevent a double play on a bases loaded ground ball, opting to field the batted ball in front of La Crosse's waiting shortstop, resulting in a dead ball, with umpires ruling R2 Surowiec out and awarding batter-runner Reagan Reeder first base (the official scoring put this as a fielder's choice, but by rule this application would be credited as a single for the batter).

But was this the correct call?

This precise scenario is covered by Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(6): "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of their teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner."

College's rule is even stricter, not requiring "obvious intent" but simply intentional interference: "If a double play is likely, and the runner intentionally interferes with the fielder who is attempting to field or throw the ball, both the runner and batter-runner shall be declared out" (NCAA 8-5-d).

High school returns to OBR's "obvious" standard: "The batter-runner is out when any runner or retired runner interferes (2-21-1, 2-30-3) in a way which obviously hinders an obvious double play" (NFHS 8-4-1h).

In sum, this very likely should have been ruled a double play. | Video as follows:

Marlins Lose Run on Umpire Interference as Ball Hits U2

Miami lost its tying run, then the game, vs Minnesota when Kyle Stowers' single hit 2B Umpire Emil Jimenez, positioned inside with Marlins baserunner R2 Jesús Sánchez at second. Although appearing to score on the outfield base hit, an umpire interference call returned runner Sánchez to second base, prompting a brief discussion between Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and Crew Chief James Hoye at home plate.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(f) defines umpire interference: "Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder."

It's important to note that the final word of this citation—"fielder"—does not include the pitcher for the purposes of this provision. However, if the pitcher (or any fielder) first touches the fair ball, then it is not umpire's interference even if the ball subsequently strikes an umpire working inside, as U2 Jimenez did here.

OBR 5.06(c)(6) proscribes the penalty for umpire interference: "The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out when a fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced."

This means that all returns return to their base as a result of umpire interference, unless forced to advance by virtue of the batter becoming a runner and assuming occupation of first base (e.g., if there's only a runner on second, that runner returns, but if there were runners at first and second at the start of the play, both runners would advance to accommodate the batter-runner's placement at first base).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 093 - Quinn Wolcott (1; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin (strike three call to Heliot Ramos; QOCN, following a Replay Review decision that overturned 2B Umpire Paul Clemons' fan interference/out call to fan int/double) in the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Diamondbacks game. With one out and none on, Giants batter Christian Koss hit a 2-0 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher John Curtiss on a fly ball to deep left field whereupon left fielder Tim Tawa leapt in an attempt to catch the batted ball, ruled fan interference and an out by 2B Umpire Clemons and overturned to a fan interference two-base award (double) upon Replay Review as the result of a Crew Chief Review by 1B Umpire Adrian Johnson. Later, with two out and one on, Giants batter Ramos took a 1-2 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 0.94, pz 2.62), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

  

This is Quinn Wolcott (81)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is the 93rd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 49 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is San Francisco's 3rd ejection of 2025, 2nd in the NL West (ARI 4; LAD, SF 3; COL 1).

This is Bob Melvin's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 27 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's 1st ejection since April 24, 2023 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/30/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 092 - Mark Ripperger (2; Dave Martinez)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez (Replay Review decision that upheld out call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Nationals-#Angels game. With one out and the bases loaded, Nationals batter Luis García hit a 3-2 slider from Angels pitcher José Fermin on the ground to first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who stepped on first base to retire batter-runner García before throwing to catcher Logan O'Hoppe, who tagged Nationals baserunner R2 Jacob Young, ruled out by HP Umpire Ripperger and affirmed by Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Nationals manager Martinez. Replays do not clearly and convincingly suggest the whether the catcher tagged the runner while off base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 2-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 7-4, in 11 innings.

  

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

This is the 92nd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 48th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 48 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is Washington's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (MIA, WAS 3; ATL, NYM PHI 1).

This is Dave Martinez's 1st ejection since June 1, 2024 (Malachi Moore; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Mark Ripperger's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 14 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 6/29/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 091 - Chad Fairchild (3; Anthony Volpe)

1B Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Yankees SS Anthony Volpe (check swing strike three call) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With two out and none on, Yankees batter Volpe attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 fastball from A's pitcher Michael Kelly, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Jonathan Parra and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Fairchild. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 12-5. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 12-5.

  

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s third ejection of 2025.

This is the 91st ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 30th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is New York's 8th ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (NYY 8; BOS 6; BAL, TB, TOR 3).

This is Anthony Volpe's first career MLB ejection.

This is Chad Fairchild's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 6 (Clayton McCullough; QOC = N [RLI]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 6/29/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 089-90 - Ramon De Jesus (2-3; COL x2)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Rockies RF Tyler Freeman and interim manager Warren Schaeffer (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Rockies-#Brewers game. With none out and none on, Rockies batter Freeman took a 0-2 sinker from Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.52, pz 1.55 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 11 innings.

  

This is Roberto Ortiz (40)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 2.16 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 89th and 90th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 29th player ejection of 2025.

This is the 47th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 29 Players.

This is Colorado's 1st ejection of 2025, 3rd in the NL West (ARI 4; LAD 3; SF 2; COL 1).

This is Tyler Freeman's first career MLB ejection.

This is Warren Schaeffer's first career MLB ejection.

This is Ramon De Jesus' 2/3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 11 (Bob Melvin; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs Milwaukee Brewers, 6/29/25 | Video as follows: