- Jun 22, 2008
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That would be applicable if the ball hit the runner, not in the case of player-to-player contact
Obstruction again???
- Thread starter Cannonball
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That would be applicable if the ball hit the runner, not in the case of player-to-player contact
The step and a reach interpretation is pretty much standard in softball and baseball.
At least baseball played under OBR.
The ball passing a fielderly applies when a runner is hit with a batted ball and has nothing to do with a runner making contact with a fielder who is in the process of fielding a batted ball.
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Step and reach is not universal in softball. The only rule set I am aware of that does use it is nfhs. It absolutely is not recognized in USA softball. Once a fielder boots Fielding the ball the runner must do something intentional to be called for interference.
Edit, it does appear USSSA also uses step and reach. Their rules tend to follow NFHS rules, but they do contradict themselves. They use the initial play definition and the step and reach in any direction as protection for the fielder. But, in another section of the rule book it talks about the ball passing the fielder and if contact is made with the runner it can be considered incidental contact or obstruction.
Edit, it does appear USSSA also uses step and reach. Their rules tend to follow NFHS rules, but they do contradict themselves. They use the initial play definition and the step and reach in any direction as protection for the fielder. But, in another section of the rule book it talks about the ball passing the fielder and if contact is made with the runner it can be considered incidental contact or obstruction.
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Cannonball
Ex "Expert"
- Feb 25, 2009
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This is what I pointed out to my buddy. Still, I think he got the call right. I've been looking for it but do remember reading it. Thanks!
You will not find it in OBR rule book either but it is a standard interpretation and stated in the MLBUM.
Not everything is covered in any rule book.
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You may want to research your USA case plays and rule clarifications. USA softball does not recognize step and a reach protection. The fielder gets one chance to field the ball, if they boot it they are not protected unless the runner does something intentional.
So if F4 bobbles a ground ball and is bending to pick it up and is run over by R1 you are going to call obstruction?
I said you may want to research your USA case plays and rules clarifications. Yes, in USA softball it would be obstruction as long as the runner did nothing intentional.
March 2014 plays and clarifications.
- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
Now you are just being silly.
OFKAA handles this situation for what it is, a deflected batted ball. The defender can still go after it and the runner can try to avoid the fielder. It would only be interference if the runner could have, in the umpire's judgment, avoided contacting the fieder. This is not new, it has been this way for quite a while when ASA dropped "another" fielder from the rule on deflected batted balls
If I could find a USA case book I would be a happy camper.
I have been looking for one for years.
Any suggestions?
PS-- here is an interesting discussion of this on another forum:
http://forum.umpiringsoftball.com/showthread.php?3957-Interference-Obstruction-on-a-deflected-ball
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