Fly ball not caught for fear of obstruction

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jjr

Jun 13, 2017
69
8
So, this past weekend a fly ball was hit behind pitcher and in front of short stop. It was maybe a foot or two in front of the base line. My kid was playing short and ran like she was going to field it then stopped.

When the game was over, I asked what happened and she stated she didn't want to run into the runner because she was "right there". She knew the ball was hers but she didn't want the runner to be called safe and no play being made. She ended up making the play at second for the last out of that inning but the runner at second ended up being safe at home because of the dropped ball.

I told her to ask the coach but I was pretty sure she would've been okay if she had bumped the runner trying to make a play. If anything, the call would be left to the discretion of the umpire and the out still may have been an out had she caught it even if she bumped the girl and no run would've been scored.

Anyways, her coach advised her that she should try to make the play regardless of if she bumps into the base runner. That a lot of the times, the umpire will be on her side when it comes down to it. I'm not sure he understood what she was asking cause she's 11 and can be a bit wordy and from what I could tell it seemed like she was asking about a line drive and not a pop-up. Also, I really only caught the tail end of him answering her question since we were packing up to leave for the day so I may have just heard him wrong as well.

I really just want to be able to give her advice on what to do next time so she's not stopping for fear of the base runner being called safe just cause she bumped into her. Any insight on how she should've played that within the rules?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Her ball, actually the way described it was her ball.

Even if it was not, her ball. Figure it out latter.

(A single fielder has the right to field the ball, ump gets to decide which fielder. Longer rule but gist of it)
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The simple explanation...On a batted ball, the fielder has the right-of-way. On a thrown ball, the runner has the right-of-way.

In the case of the play described, if the runner had hindered her ability to make a play on the batted ball (contact isn't required), the runner should be called out for interference.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
The simple explanation...On a batted ball, the fielder has the right-of-way. On a thrown ball, the runner has the right-of-way.

In the case of the play described, if the runner had hindered her ability to make a play on the batted ball (contact isn't required), the runner should be called out for interference.

The fielder needs to actually go after the ball. The play has no description of where the runner was at the time the fielder pulled up, only that she fielder was afraid she would run into the runner and that is not automatically interference. The runner may have pulled up to give the fielder room, they may have veered into the infield to give room, they may have veered behind to give room we have no idea. You cannot always fault the runner simply because the fielder gave up on the chance to field the ball, they need to make an attempt to go after it. I understand this was 11 year old from the description, but they do need to play the ball and let the umpire make the appropriate call, especially as they get older.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The fielder needs to actually go after the ball. The play has no description of where the runner was at the time the fielder pulled up, only that she fielder was afraid she would run into the runner and that is not automatically interference. The runner may have pulled up to give the fielder room, they may have veered into the infield to give room, they may have veered behind to give room we have no idea. You cannot always fault the runner simply because the fielder gave up on the chance to field the ball, they need to make an attempt to go after it. I understand this was 11 year old from the description, but they do need to play the ball and let the umpire make the appropriate call, especially as they get older.

Agreed. I used "if" because we don't know all the necessary details to made a definitive decision.
 

jjr

Jun 13, 2017
69
8
The fielder needs to actually go after the ball. The play has no description of where the runner was at the time the fielder pulled up, only that she fielder was afraid she would run into the runner and that is not automatically interference. The runner may have pulled up to give the fielder room, they may have veered into the infield to give room, they may have veered behind to give room we have no idea. You cannot always fault the runner simply because the fielder gave up on the chance to field the ball, they need to make an attempt to go after it. I understand this was 11 year old from the description, but they do need to play the ball and let the umpire make the appropriate call, especially as they get older.


Thanks! I told her the same thing, field the ball and let the ump decide if there was an issue.if there was an issue she’d be told what she did wrong. She looked at me sort of dubiously and that’s when I told her go ask coach. She still seemed sort of confused after he talked to her which is why I came here to ask the resident umpires.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Thanks! I told her the same thing, field the ball and let the ump decide if there was an issue.if there was an issue she’d be told what she did wrong. She looked at me sort of dubiously and that’s when I told her go ask coach. She still seemed sort of confused after he talked to her which is why I came here to ask the resident umpires.

In my experience with young players, helping them learn the rules is a productive effort.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Regardless of the rule, the lesson for anyone on Defense is to just go after the ball especially if you are the SS. It doesn't matter if it's a hit to you or a throw to you. While you might get called for obstruction on a throw, it's a whole lot better than an overthrow.
 
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