Interference

Can you all help clarify something for me? I've had two different opposing coaches try to have our girls called out for "interfering" with their fielders because they ran in front of them while they were trying to field a ball. In other words, the fielder was set up behind the baseline, the runner runs in front (in a direct line from 1st to 2nd) of the fielder at roughly the same time as the ball is intersecting her line to 2nd. In neither case did the runner make contact with either the ball or fielder. In neither case did the runner do anything other than run directly to second. Luckily, the umpires disregarded their pleas in both cases (although in one case the umpire said that if the fielder had been charging the ball instead of standing flat-footed, he would have called our runner out).

Both of these games were Little League 12U (but I would imagine that ASA interference rules would be the same as LL). The first time it happened, the opposing coach called the league president and was told that the runner should have been called out. I obviously disagree. The whole thing seems ludicrous to me and the rule book seems to support my notion.

This probably belongs in the rules forum.

Contact is not required for interference to be called. Without seeing it it's really hard to say.

BuckeyeGuy said:

This probably belongs in the rules forum.

Contact is not required for interference to be called. Without seeing it it's really hard to say.

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Yes, you're right. I didn't even notice that there was a rules forum. I'll post there instead. Thanks.

The rule is vague, they leave it up to the umpire.

MLB last week the runner intentional slowed down to jump over the ball, ump immediately called him out.

quincy said:

The rule is vague, they leave it up to the umpire.

MLB last week the runner intentional slowed down to jump over the ball, ump immediately called him out.

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I could see that. If no contact, I would think there would need to be obvious intent (as in the case you cited).

strawman said:

I could see that. If no contact, I would think there would need to be obvious intent (as in the case you cited).

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Obvious intent is not required. If the ump thinks it hindered the fielders ability to field or throw the ball, he will call interference.

The onus is on the runner to give the fielder room to field the ball.

Neither clear intent nor contact is required for the INT call to be made, but if the fielder appears to give up on the play, there are many umpires who will not give the defense the call. So, as a coaching point, instruct fielders to continue toward the ball in an attempt to make a play regardless of what an oncoming baserunner is doing.

It's umpire judgement... If the ump changed their judgement based on coach's plea, well that is a pretty poor ump.