Batter-Runner Interference (video)?

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Jul 17, 2016
81
6
This happened in a high school game tonight. Runner was originally called safe, then the call was reversed. Video speaks for itself (camera had previously been knocked sideways by a wild pitch, sorry for the net in frame):



NFHS rules. Couldn't find a copy of the rule book online without buying one.
 
Jul 17, 2016
81
6
This looks like the appropriate rules in the USSSA rule book, but I'm not an umpire:

Sec 17. The batter-runner is out:
E. When they run outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance
from home plate to first base) while the ball is being fielded or thrown to
first base.
EXCEPTION: This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is
attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a
fielder or a throw


Sec 18. Any runner is out when the runner:
A. Runs more than three feet away from the base path to avoid being tagged,
or to hinder a fielder while the runner is advancing or returning to a base.
EXCEPTION: This is not an infraction if a fielder, attempting to field a
batted ball, is in the runner’s proper path and if the runner runs behind the
fielder to avoid interfering.
NOTE: When a play is being made on a runner or batter-runner, the
runner establishes their base path as directly between the runner’s position
and the base toward which the runner is moving.

In section 17, the Exception seems to apply. That's an "OR" there, so only one of those things would seem to be required to get the exception?
 
Mar 13, 2010
960
0
Columbus, Ohio
Section 17 is the rule that covers this.

Section 18 is for something completely different. It requires a fielder with possession of the ball attempting to tag/touch the runner.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
she was out of the baseline. I know its a different rule set but I saw a college game on TV where the runner was called out on a close play because she was on the wrong side of the line.
 
Jul 17, 2016
81
6
she was out of the baseline. I know its a different rule set but I saw a college game on TV where the runner was called out on a close play because she was on the wrong side of the line.

But where should she have gone? And again, see the exception about avoiding the fielder.

I also saw a college game last year where the right handed batter literally was at the edge of the pitching circle and was called safe, because the reason she was there was to avoid the fielders. I didn't think that seemed right, but that's was the call.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
I got nuttin'

The BR must avoid interfering with the defender making the play on an untouched batted ball. If she goes to the right, it is an avoidable delay, but if so, F3 could have been called for OBS.

I believe the BR did a good job. Once inside, she stayed inside. If she crossed the line to get into the running lane and interfered with F4 taking the throw, that would be INT.
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
My original thought was o.o.b. So they called her out. I also thought the throw hit the runner. Looking again, I see she didn't have a whole lot of choice where to go and I don't know if the throw hit her but whether it did or not wasn't her fault.
 
Jul 17, 2016
81
6
To me, it seemed like the defense could have still easily gotten the out if the second baseman had called for an inside throw and gotten it (or maybe even an outside throw). My kid's a catcher, and they've worked with their teammates on some teams about whoever is on first calling where the clear throw is and shouting it out so that the player picking up the ball will look up and throw to the right spot.

Their throw isn't blocked if it is where it should be.

Saying that independent of whatever the call on this should have been.

I'm biased, but the other team's fans were kind of shocked they got the reversal, too. I was running scoreboard behind the plate and heard several of them saying "what??" to each other when she was called out.
 
Last edited:
Jul 17, 2016
81
6
My original thought was o.o.b. So they called her out. I also thought the throw hit the runner. Looking again, I see she didn't have a whole lot of choice where to go and I don't know if the throw hit her but whether it did or not wasn't her fault.

It definitely hit her.
 

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