Interference or Obstruction?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Dec 18, 2016
163
28
Runner on first, batter hits ground ball towards the second baseman, runner runs in front of second baseman and defender pauses but doesn't go after ball. No contact from anyone or with the ball...so no call.

Question is, if the defender goes after the ball and runs into the baserunner is it the baserunners responsibility to run around the defender or does the defender have to wait on ball or get in front of runner?

Thanks
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
If the defender attempts to play the ball and would come in the "path" of the runner, the runner has to yield the right-of-way.
If the defender has no play anywhere and would come in the "path" of the runner, the defender has to yield the right-of-way.
 
May 13, 2012
599
18
Seen similar last summer and again this weekend. Both time R on second ball up middle short and runner collide. This summer FU called incendental contact no call. After game talked to UIC and she confirmed should have been call either obstruction or interference. This week end no way play would have been made but he called interference. Wrong judgement IMO but at least a call.
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
Runner on first, batter hits ground ball towards the second baseman, runner runs in front of second baseman and defender pauses but doesn't go after ball. No contact from anyone or with the ball...so no call.

Question is, if the defender goes after the ball and runs into the baserunner is it the baserunners responsibility to run around the defender or does the defender have to wait on ball or get in front of runner?

Thanks

My understanding that there doesn't have to be contact for there to be interference called against the runner. It's a judgement call.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Base runner has to avoid the fielder. Teach your players to go after the ball and to not "pull up" to avoid contact.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Runner on first, batter hits ground ball towards the second baseman, runner runs in front of second baseman and defender pauses but doesn't go after ball. No contact from anyone or with the ball...so no call.

Question is, if the defender goes after the ball and runs into the baserunner is it the baserunners responsibility to run around the defender or does the defender have to wait on ball or get in front of runner?

Thanks

To start, running in front of a fielder attempting to field a batted ball is in itself.

On a batted ball, the fielder has the right of way
 
May 30, 2011
143
0
There's a difference between a fielder going after s batted ball and being prevented from doing so by a runner vs. a fielder just seeing a runner advancing and deciding to not go after the ball or deciding to hang back and wait for ball instead of charging it. Inexperienced fielders will simply hang back when they in fact have the right of way to field the ball. I need to see the feilder trying to take her right of way and be hindered by the runner to call INT.

No, contact is not necessary just an action by the runner that the umpire feels hindered the fielder. F6 charges the ball and holds up just short of a collision with runner from 2B is certainly INT even if runner does not make contact. On the other hand runner who runs in front of a fielder but does not impeded feilder from going after the ball is not INT. There is no requirement to run specifically behind the fielder.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
My understanding that there doesn't have to be contact for there to be interference called against the runner. It's a judgement call.

Your are correct. Contact is not required for interference or obstruction.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
Your are correct. Contact is not required for interference or obstruction.

Contact isn't required by the rules, but it most certainly enhances the argument. I've seen too many umpires who won't call it if the defender pulls up.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top