Squirrel

[bnumpire]

Game 4 Philly vs. St. Louis. As the pitcher is delivering the pitch, a squirrel runs across the front of home plate.

Is there anything in the rules that could be done if the squirrel would have interfered with the game in anyway?


http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19846045

[Rich_Ives]

MLBUM

6.15 BALL STRIKES BIRD OR ANIMAL

If a batted or thrown ball strikes a bird in flight or other animal on the playing field, the ball is considered alive and in play, the same as if it had not touched the bird or animal.

If a pitched ball strikes a bird in flight or other animal on the playing field, the pitch is nullified and play shall be resumed with the previous count.

[heyblue26]

MLBUM

6.15 BALL STRIKES BIRD OR ANIMAL

If a pitched ball strikes a bird in flight or other animal on the playing field, the pitch is nullified and play shall be resumed with the previous count.

Remember Randy Johnson's pitch that hit the bird "Count remains the same batter still has same count before the bird was hit get another chance.

[bobjenkins]

Beyond what Rich wrote, the umpires always have 9.01(c) to fall back on. I think that's what happened in the Randy Johnson incident -- and then it was added to MLBUM.

Please, no one post the "what if a pig eats the ball" joke.

[yawetag]

As the pitcher is delivering the pitch, a squirrel runs across the front of home plate.

The pitch was well past the plate when the squirrel ran by. I had to laugh when Oswalt seemed to indicate the squirrel kept Angel from calling it a strike.

[shickenbottom]

To all the Smitties out there, Stand up, be proud, raise your arms and confidently announce:

DEAD BALL

Then the entire crew needs to gather round, remove their hats, hold over heart, and a moment of silence for the Dead Ball..........I mean, dead animal......


LOL