Question about step and reach rule

[coachdan]

Runner on first and second batter hits a ground ball to SS, runner that was on 2nd jumps over the ball no contact with ball or fielder. SS was about 3 ft behind where runner jumps over ball. UMP calls the runner out and sites the step and reach rule for the reason. Could some of you fine men and wemen in blue clarify this rule for me.

ASA RULES!

 

[Lozza]

There was a thread on this not long ago. (and I got schooled!)

As long as there's no contact there's no obstruction.

 

[Comp]

Plain and simple, no step and reach rule in ASA softball.

 

[Comp]

To add, step and reach is a FED rule and applies to situations where a fielder has made an initial play on a batted ball, has muffed the play and the ball can reasonably be expected to be fielded by the same player and the ball is still within a "step and a reach". As described in your post, even in FED the step and reach rule would not apply. The umpire would need to judge purely on wether the runner interfered with the fielder interfered with the defensive player making a play on the ball or not.

 

[coachdan]

Do you have to make contact with fielder to be ruled interference ?

 

[Comp]

Contact is not necessary to rule interference.

 

[alabama_lowlife]

And with some umpires it's perfectly acceptable to just plow right over the player fielding the ball.

 

[coachdan]

Contact is not necessary to rule interference.

OK contact is not necessary in what situation can the runner be called for interference without making contact?

 

[Comp]

Stopping in front of the fielder, stutter stepping in front of the fielder, running to close in front of the fielder, or interference could even be verbal. Fielder moving to catch a pop fly ball in no mans land and a runner starts yelling "I got it".

 

[argodad]

There was a thread on this not long ago. (and I got schooled!)

As long as there's no contact there's no obstruction.

Not true, Lozza. Contact is not required for Obstruction or Interference. In this situation, INT was called (sounds like the ump kicked the call, but HTBT to be sure). He certainly kicked the explanation. "Step and a reach" is a Fed concept, and as explained above, applies after a fielder as mishandled the batted ball.