HIGH SCHOOL GAME....Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 out, 2 strikes on the batter, ball is pitched batter tries to check his swing, the catcher misses the pitch and the ball hits the umpire in the facemask knocking him backwards, the ball then hits the backstop and rolls into fair territory, the coach asks for a check on the swing ...he swung batter called out...is the ball dead either when it hit the umpire or backstop?
Two parts to the question: the status of the ball and the effect of the checked swing appeal.
Status of ball (assuming no confusion over swing):
The batter swings and misses on a third strike. Ball is still live.
Then the ball hits the umpire, who is part of the field, so the ball remains live. At this point, it becomes an uncaught third strike.
Then the ball hits the backstop, which is part of the field of play, so the ball remains live.
Then the ball rolls into fair territory, so the ball remains live.
Nothing in this sequence gives any occasion to call it a dead ball.
Effect of checked swing appeal:
On a dropped potential third strike that is called a ball and gets away from the catcher but is judged to be a swing by the base umpire, the base umpire is obligated to announce that he has a swing immediately and loudly without waiting for the appeal. He'll get grief from one team or the other, but it's the only way to avoid the confusion that otherwise ensues when everybody thinks the play is over and suddenly hears that it is not.
Teams are not supposed to be penalized by an umpire's error. So in this case, the umpires need to get together, decide what would have happened if they had promptly indicated that it was a third strike, and place runners or assign outs accordingly. Someone will be unhappy with good reason. It will be ugly and unpleasant because the umpires didn't handle it right. But that's the only way to clean up this mess.
