I wanted to wait until I saw the play in question before I answered and I have since done so.... The 2nd ball popped put of the ivy as Edmonds crashed into the wall. Fortunately Edmonds played the correct ball.....
In looking through all my reference materials, I could not find anything to apply to this situation.........which means MST is right on target here....Rule 9.01C
9.01C-Each Umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in the official rules.
In the instance of the Edmonds play since both balls were in the same vicinity and there was no element of deception or advantage, I would let the play stand regardless of which ball he played on.
Like MST if there is evidence that the second ball was played as an advantage then I would also kill the play and award basis as I saw fit.
This is a classic 9.01C rule application. There are very few appropriate applications of this rule. This rule is often misused by young and/or inexperienced umpires who use it to cover the lack of rules knowledge. The rules of baseball are old fashioned, poorly written, often contradictory and grouped inefficiently yet, are fairly complete......... 9.01C is for those one in a million unexplained things........."like a trapped BP ball popping out of the ivy"
