2026 MLB (Non-Tigers) Thread

[chasfh]

The answer is also in the Umpire Manual. Interpretation #78, titled “Ball Strikes Bird or Animal,” reads:

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.

So in the Randy Johnson scenario, the umpire nullifies the pitch entirely and the count simply reverts to whatever it was before. No pitch recorded, no ball or strike added, no dead ball award to runners. Just wipe it off the books and go again. After a moment of silence, of course.

The closest numbered Rule in the Book this interpretationt probably draws from conceptually would be Rule 8.01(c): “Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.”

Me, I’m just trying to imagine how a pitched ball could strike any “other animal”.

[NorthWoods]

7 minutes ago, chasfh said:

Me, I’m just trying to imagine how a pitched ball could strike any “other animal”.

A bat.

[chasfh]

4 minutes ago, NorthWoods said:

A bat.

It would be really unusual for a bat to be hanging around the playing area of a major league stadium without anyone noticing it or play being stopped to deal with it.