How should this one be ruled/

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Jul 13, 2014
89
8
Nashville, TN
Odd play happened this weekend at our 12U tournament. Girl on second, batter hits a pop up near second base. SS moves to make catch, but pulls up to avoid base runneer who is standing on second base. Pop fly actually hits runner on helmet. In this situation, can the base runner be called for interference had the SS run into her while trying to make a catch? Does the runner have the right to be standing on the base even if the play occurs right at the base?

It didn't affect the outcome (we won), but it was a unique play I hadn't yet seen. Thoughts?
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,855
113
I have always been under the impression that the only place a ball can hit the runner where the runner is not out is when the runner is in foul territory. I have never seen it but on an infield fly, I think that the same thing applies. I don't think that the base is a "safe place" for the runner. I'm interested to see how the umpires respond. To be sure, I am not an umpire.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Odd play happened this weekend at our 12U tournament. Girl on second, batter hits a pop up near second base. SS moves to make catch, but pulls up to avoid base runneer who is standing on second base. Pop fly actually hits runner on helmet. In this situation, can the base runner be called for interference had the SS run into her while trying to make a catch? Does the runner have the right to be standing on the base even if the play occurs right at the base?

It didn't affect the outcome (we won), but it was a unique play I hadn't yet seen. Thoughts?

The runner cannot be called out for INT when in contact with a base unless the runner intentionally commits an act of INT. Standing on a base is not an act of INT. (USA 8.8.M)
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
To another of Cannon's points.

If ground ball goes by infielder, not P, and hits runner still live ball and no one is out?
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,855
113
The runner cannot be called out for INT when in contact with a base unless the runner intentionally commits an act of INT. Standing on a base is not an act of INT. (USA 8.8.M)

Would you address the ball hitting the runner on the base please? Again, I have always been under the impression that there is not a "safe haven" for a runner standing on a base. Thank you in advance.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Would you address the ball hitting the runner on the base please? Again, I have always been under the impression that there is not a "safe haven" for a runner standing on a base. Thank you in advance.

Just did in Post #3. Your impression is not accurate.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
To another of Cannon's points.

If ground ball goes by infielder, not P, and hits runner still live ball and no one is out?

Not if the umpire judges another player, ANY player had the opportunity to make an out had the ball not hit the runner.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,855
113
Just did in Post #3. Your impression is not accurate.

I found a statement by Ken Vanderpoel, MSBL National Umpire-In-Chief 2002 for MSBL where he said, "If a runner standing on third base in fair territory is struck by a batted ball, also in fair territory, he is out. The base provides no protection, unless the batted ball is declared an Infield Fly by the umpire. In that case, the runner is not out; the batter is out by virtue of the Infield Fly Rule." So, my first impression was based upon incidents in the past that I had encountered. I defer to you now as this was an old ruling.

Umpiring in the MSBL
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Baseball rules have little to do with softball rules. Just the same as don't use NCAA rules for USA or USA rules for nfhs.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 

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