What can an umpire do if loose equipment interferes with play?

When loose equipment interferes with play, the applicable action for an umpire is to award bases or return runners. This response recognizes that when playing conditions are affected by loose equipment—such as bats, helmets, or other gear—it can disrupt the normal flow of the game and potentially affect the outcome of a play.

In such situations, the umpire assesses the impact the interference had on the play. If the interference alters the path of a runner or prevents a play from developing normally, the umpire will call the interference and adjust the runners' positions as necessary to maintain fairness in the game. This decision helps ensure that the competition remains equitable and that players are not penalized by factors beyond their control, such as misplaced equipment on the field.

The other responses do not accurately address the protocol for handling such interference. Ignoring the incident could lead to unfair advantages or disadvantages for one team, while calling a timeout and resetting the play does not align with established rules regarding interference. Treating the situation as a foul is also incorrect, as loose equipment interference specifically requires a different enforcement under the rules governing baseball.