This was on a LL Intermediate game with two outs and a runner on third. I was the umpire and the catcher was going for the ball at my feet after the deflection and I kicked it away which allowed both runners to be safe.
Coach(s) came out and asked why it wasn’t umpire interference. I said that the only situation a plate umpire can be considered interfering with the play is in the case where I impede the catcher from cleaning throwing the ball. They disagreed and said that the uncaught 3rd strike was a different situation and should have been a dead ball, batter runner is out and scoring runner moved back to 3rd. I stood my ground and let the play stand.
I’ve researched this and can’t see any special rules applied to an uncaught 3rd strike. In MLB rules a kicked ball by a plate umpire is a live ball. Being that this is LL, is there a different rule that I’m not aware of?