"Many baseball fans look upon an umpire as a sort of necessary evil to the luxury of baseball, like the odor that follows an automobile." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Christy Mathewson

You know the drill -

Read the full size version of the two scenarios and share your call. Points will be given for accuracy AND for citing specific rules (per the Diamond Challenge decision), ties will go in favor of the quickest response.

To make it a little more interesting, I'll give up a 2001 Diamondbacks World Series Replica Ring to the ump who makes the best calls over five weeks of double headers, and announce a winner on / around the start of the World Series. 

... Play Ball

5a) 

5b) 

Diamond Challenge is reproduced with permission from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring

Comment before seeing the other responses  ----------->