- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
BTW, and again, my point in my disagreement was that the ball had passed the infielder. I know that this is a rule as well.
That would be applicable if the ball hit the runner, not in the case of player-to-player contact
BTW, and again, my point in my disagreement was that the ball had passed the infielder. I know that this is a rule as well.
The step and a reach interpretation is pretty much standard in softball and baseball.Is the rule unique to HS or does most rule sets have similar ruling?
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.
You will not find it in OBR rule book either but it is a standard interpretation and stated in the MLBUM.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.
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.
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?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?
PLAY: With R1 on 2B, B2 hits a ground ball to F6 who tries to field the ball and bobbles it. R1, trying to advance to 3B, attempts to get around F6 who is picking up the deflected batted ball. In doing so, R1 bumps F6 advancing to 3B. The umpire calls “dead ball” and calls R1 out for interference because the ball has not passed F6 and F6 still had an opportunity to make an out on B2.
Ruling: Incorrect ruling. If protested correctly, the umpire should reverse his ruling and “obstruction” should be called since this interference was not intentional. When a runner intentionally interferes with any defensive player having the opportunity to make an out with the deflected batted ball, the ball is dead and the runner is out. All other runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. Rule 8, Section 7J[4]
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?
If I could find a USA case book I would be a happy camper.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.