I have nothing on that play, even the UIC on the forum where the video is posted indicated he would not have made an interference call. Following is his response to the video on that websites Q&A section.
First would like to state that it is easy to make judgement on an umpires call from afar and not in real time. An official has to be timely and consise when making a call that does not happen that often on a play they may not have ever seen before or that is very rare.
Also rules can be applied differently by an umpire because there judgement is what drives them when making a call. I know rules are in black and white and should be applied the exact same way each time, but that does not factor in judgement.
I am now going to be honest and not skirt the question of was the call the right call by the game officials. I have watched the video several times and came to a decision on the call. This of course it not what the officials had. There is no instant replay and would not be used during a judgement call to applying the rules that cover this play.
I believe it would have been the first right of the home umpire to make the call. Play was in front of him and had a perfect view of the foul line and running lane. Also home umpire could see how far the runner was down the line and where the player was when hit with thrown ball. Field umpire did have a view of play, but not nearly as good as home umpire.
My call from either umpire decision would have been a no call. Why. Because the runner met all the requirements asked by a runner going to first base. Runner was clearly hit by thrown ball in foul territory at almost the halfway point and did not block or interfere path of a thrown ball to first base to double up the runner returning. Runner was in the place where the rule book said she was supposed to be, retired or not. Catcher made a throw that was way off target to first and would not have doubled up the returning runner to first.
Having made this decision does not say the call was the wrong call on this play. Why because in my judgement was a no call and when I applied the rule in my head. The umpire used his judgement and applied the rule he had in his head.
From what I could see from video, umpires did a great job in explaining their call to the coaches and the game continued smoothly.
We will continue to debate this call, but rules are applied in real time with judgement being a big factor in any umpires call.