Credit for Good Umpiring

During a scrimmage in Lowell Sunday, we had a batted ball hit a base runner advancing to 3rd. The umpire ruled her safe as the SS had been playing in, made a play on the ball in front of the runner before contact. From this thread, it seems like he got it right, as no other fielder was trying to make a play behind the runner:

https://www.discussfastpitch.com/so.../9858-runner-hit-batted-ball-small-twist.html

I wasn't aware of that rule before yesterday, so nice job, Blue!

In a related brag, my 7th grade daughter umpired her first game Sunday. I was nervous, but she did a great job.

You are correct....the umpire made the correct call, but this play is a bit different from the play in the post you referenced.

In the other play, the ball was deflected by a fielder prior to hitting the base runner. Once the ball is deflected, the base runner must do something intentional (kicking or slapping the ball away, for example) to be declared out. NFHS rules have an allowance for an initial play if the ball is still within a step and a reach of the fielder.

In your play, it seems as if the ball simply passed the fielder without being touched and no other fielder had a chance to make a play. This is a live ball, but it is covered under a different section of the interference rule.

As far as your daughter goes....keep encouraging her...we need more young umpires!

chewbaluba said:

During a scrimmage in Lowell Sunday, we had a batted ball hit a base runner advancing to 3rd. The umpire ruled her safe as the SS had been playing in, made a play on the ball in front of the runner before contact. From this thread, it seems like he got it right, as no other fielder was trying to make a play behind the runner:

https://www.discussfastpitch.com/so.../9858-runner-hit-batted-ball-small-twist.html

I wasn't aware of that rule before yesterday, so nice job, Blue!

In a related brag, my 7th grade daughter umpired her first game Sunday. I was nervous, but she did a great job.

Click to expand...

This is the first year we didn't do any of the Lowell scrimmages. I miss that drive through downtown Lowell.

Correct call on the interference. I've seen it called twice with the runner safe, however in our case I thought the rule was used a bit too liberally used as both times the fielder had a decent chance to make a play.

Some of the other coaches on my team were wondering how UMass-Lowell recruited kids. I kind of like the area, myself though. We were at the Dracut facility instead of McPherson, which is really nice.