Another Interference Question

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Jun 28, 2016
9
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This happened in HS game. Runner on 1st. First baseman is playing behind first base. Weak liner hit down 1st base line. First baseman attempts to dive to catch ball as runner on 1st comes back to the bag to avoid double play on the catch. First baseman's dive misses the ball, ball hits first base and bounces over her glove. There is slight contact between first baseman and runner on first while first baseman is going for the ball. Runner advances to 2nd. Coach gets heated saying that it was textbook interference. Base Ump states the runner is on the bag, there can't be interference.

I'm not sure what to think. The runner needs to get back or will be caught in a possible double play. This did interfere with the first baseman's ability to field the ball. I'm pretty sure the explanation by the ump was wrong, but not sure if the call was wrong.

Full disclosure: my DD was pitching, we won the game in extra innings. This play had no impact on the game, I just am curious on the rules in this one.

Thanks
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
The runner is entitled to be on the base in a fly ball situation. If the runner did not do anything intentional to interfere while on the base, it is nothing.
 
May 30, 2011
143
0
The runner is entitled to be on the base in a fly ball situation. If the runner did not do anything intentional to interfere while on the base, it is nothing.

Yes runner could stay on base but OP makes it more like R1 was off base and moving back to it. Now question is did R1 interfere with F3 as R1 moved back to base? After all F3 is making initial play on batted ball. Hmmmmm...
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
If runner was still returning, yes could possibly be interference. I assume by the wording of the OP the runner had made it back to first with the statement of "slight contact between first baseman and runner on first".
 
Jun 28, 2016
9
0
The runner was returning to first as F3 was attempting to make the play. It was all at the same time. I would say that the runner was on first a half second before first made the dive for the ball. All three (runner, first, and the ball) converged at pretty much the same time. Would that make a difference?
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
The runner was returning to first as F3 was attempting to make the play. It was all at the same time. I would say that the runner was on first a half second before first made the dive for the ball. All three (runner, first, and the ball) converged at pretty much the same time. Would that make a difference?

Not as described here.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
I'm still confused after reading all of the responses.....

It sounds to me that F3 made a dive for the ball (initial play), didn't catch it, ball hit the base and rolled away (how far? More than a step and a reach from F3?), then "slight contact" between runner and F3 as F3 is pursuing the ball.

If this is the sequence, I don't see any interference, assuming the ball was more than a step and a reach away from F3.
 
Jun 28, 2016
9
0
I'm still confused after reading all of the responses.....

It sounds to me that F3 made a dive for the ball (initial play), didn't catch it, ball hit the base and rolled away (how far? More than a step and a reach from F3?), then "slight contact" between runner and F3 as F3 is pursuing the ball.

If this is the sequence, I don't see any interference, assuming the ball was more than a step and a reach away from F3.

Let me try one more time. Sorry for the confusion.
R1 takes lead on pitch
Weak liner towards 1st base
R1 and F3 moving towards base and ball respectively
R1 touches first as F3 dives for ball
There is slight contact between F3 and R1
Ball lands on 1st base and bounces over F3's glove
R1 advances to 2nd
Ball rolls to the edge of the outfield, fielded by F4
 

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