Runner & Batter-runner both out on runner interference call?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

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

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
Saw this being discussed in another FP forum, and wondered if our experts here could weigh in.

Runner on 2B, 1 out. Batter hits grounder to the SS side of 2B, and runner coming off of 2B runs directly into the SS who is making a break for the ball. While you could argue if the SS was ever going to get to the ball, it's clear runner interference, easy call. So should be 2 outs, runner on 1. It gets interesting though - the batter-runner was also called out because in the ump's opinion the SS would have not only got to the ball, but would have thrown batter-runner out at 1B.

Someone posted video...play in question starts around 34:45.



I thought the rule was that the batter-runner is only out on a runner interference call if the runner interfered with a fielder who was either attempting to catch a thrown ball or throw a ball trying to make a play on the batter-runner, neither of which is happening here. Is some other rule in play here?
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
The umpire could have the opinion that the SS could have tagged the runner and thrown out the batter/runner, in this case yes a double play could have been awarded.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
If the umpire judges that a double-play was prevented because of interference, two outs can be called. Looking at the play, it appears possible that the SS could have tagged 2B and then thrown to 1B in time to get both.

BTW...that's a nice video...what camera?
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
Secondary question for the experts when they go to work on this: On these obstruction calls, is it necessary/prudent for fielder to "make an attempt" to make second out? (It was obviously impossible in this case.)
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
This was my exact situation except it was a loopy liner. Umpire said no interference because she wasn't within a step and a reach of the ball. We said well she couldn't be because the interference happened first. He didn't care.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
Secondary question for the experts when they go to work on this: On these obstruction calls, is it necessary/prudent for fielder to "make an attempt" to make second out? (It was obviously impossible in this case.)

It shouldn't be. In OKC a couple of years ago there was a runner on 1B, ground ball to F4, as she was in her fielding position the runner basically laid over the top of her (it wasn't hard or knocked her down). The Field umpire called the runner out, and called the batter/runner out. Our F4 didn't attempt to make the throw as the runner was laying over her back hahaha.
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
If the umpire judges that a double-play was prevented because of interference, two outs can be called. Looking at the play, it appears possible that the SS could have tagged 2B and then thrown to 1B in time to get both.

BTW...that's a nice video...what camera?

No idea what kind of camera they used, but agree it's a nice clear HD video.

From my viewing, I don't agree the SS would ever have had a shot at tagging the runner. The runner was off the base and the ball was hit behind her. Even if the SS was able to make a clean play on the ball, the runner would have been halfway to 3B at least.

Is there another rule that allows umps judgement to call the batter-runner out in cases like this where the runner interference did not disrupt a fielder either catching a thrown ball or throwing a ball while making a play on the batter-runner?
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
First of all, the judgement of whether or not F6 could get to the ball is absolutely relevant. If the umpire judgement is that F6 has no chance of getting to the ball, you have obstruction on F6 on this play.

Watching the video, I would have interference on the runner. Dead ball, runner is out, batter-runner is placed on first. The rule does say that if the interference is an attempt to prevent a double play, two outs MAY be called. I don't see that here. I just see a runner colliding with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. If there had been no collision, by the time F6 fielded the ball, the runner would have been well on her way to third and there would have been no tag play available.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
No idea what kind of camera they used, but agree it's a nice clear HD video.

From my viewing, I don't agree the SS would ever have had a shot at tagging the runner. The runner was off the base and the ball was hit behind her. Even if the SS was able to make a clean play on the ball, the runner would have been halfway to 3B at least.

You're right...I misread the play. I thought there was also a runner coming from 1B, which is not the case. The umpire blew it...there was no shot at a double-play. He should have called out the runner coming off 2B, but put the batter-runner on 1B.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top