Engie, or any baseball rules guru, explain this:

[CochiseCowbell]

http://deadspin.com/runners-advance-on-umpires-armpit-catch-1826369926

Is it not a dead ball? Also, why is it a no pitch? Umps are part of the field, right, but unlike in football if the ball hits them it's dead or so I always thought. Why do the runners automatically advance? Is it like a ball into the dugout? I'm so confused.

 

[BassinDawg.sixpack]

I couldn’t get the video to work on my phone, but the article makes it sound like it would fall under the lodged ball rule. Each runner gets one bag from the time of the pitch.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Where are you getting a no pitch? I see no way in which that could be the case. My interpretation would be that since ball was past the catcher and "caught" by the umpire it would be considered outside of the field of play(akin to it going in the dugout as you suggested) and the runners would be entitled the next bag. If it were not to be considered out of the field of play and the runners were in the process of advancing as the ball was past the catcher then when the ball was called dead they would be awarded the base of which they were advancing. The out of the field of play is the most appropriate in my opinion.

 

[engie]

I've never seen that. Guessing it is dead once it gets stuck with the umpire. Had it just hit him and ricocheted would have been live, just like hitting the catcher and ricocheting. Pitcher was actually pretty fortunate on that one. Had potential to be a two base mistake written all over it.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Agreed. Just don't get the no pitch call. Don't really like the advancing runners, but I get it.

If it's a no-pitch then it should either be a balk or no advancement should happen.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Simple instance of rule 5.06(c)(7)

 

[engie]

I think it was a pitch. Just a dead ball immediately after. And the guys calling the game were confused. If that's wrong, it'll be a new one on me also...