Runner Interference Interpretation

[cseltzer]

The play went like this...

Runner at first base. 2nd baseman shaded a little towards first base. Ball hit very hard, one hopper to 2nd baseman. Ball hit her glove, bounced out, she bent to recover the ball and had plenty of time to still throw out the runner who was barely half way to 1st base. The runner from 1st ran into the fielder and knocked her to the ground. By the time she got up, the runner was at 1st. The collision was significant, and not a "flop". The umpire ruled that since the ball had hit her glove and she did not field it cleanly, there was no interference and it did not matter that she still had a play at 1st base. What would be the interpretation of the rule? Would you agree or disagree?

 

[SoAZDad]

Because she bent to recover the ball, the play was not over. I call it interference, runner out, 4U. BR safe at 1B, FC.

 

[Comp]

First question is what rule set and second question is how far away did the ball deflect off the fielder and did runner have time to avoid the collision ?

 

[SoCal_Dad]

Which rule set? Incorrect if NFHS since they extend protection after a misplay if the ball is within a step and a reach. Others generally end protection for a fielder when they misplay it. The fielder is subject to the obstruction rule when no longer protected by the interference rule.

 

[MTR]

First question is what rule set and second question is how far away did the ball deflect off the fielder and did runner have time to avoid the collision ?

Yeppers. ASA changed the wording on a deflected ball by eliminating the work "another" from in front of defender. That means that for INT to be called in an ASA game, the umpire would have to judge that the runner could have avoided contact with the fielder attempting to recover the deflected ball.

 

[cseltzer]

First question is what rule set and second question is how far away did the ball deflect off the fielder and did runner have time to avoid the collision ?

ASA rules for 18U fastpitch. The ball fell out of her glove to the ground, the fielder did not have to do anything but bend down to get the ball. She actually had the ball back in her glove when the runner hit her, but she caught her in the back and shoulder and not the glove. If she had run into her hand, the ball was back in her glove. She didn't tag her because it happened too fast, and yes, the runner could have avoided her. The ump said it was strictly because she had one attempt to field the ball and the ball came out of her glove so she was no longer in the act of fielding, though the play was not over by a long shot.

I have never heard that interpretation of "act of fielding" before by any ump.

 

[MTR]

ASA rules for 18U fastpitch. The ball fell out of her glove to the ground, the fielder did not have to do anything but bend down to get the ball. She actually had the ball back in her glove when the runner hit her, but she caught her in the back and shoulder and not the glove. If she had run into her hand, the ball was back in her glove. She didn't tag her because it happened too fast, and yes, the runner could have avoided her. The ump said it was strictly because she had one attempt to field the ball and the ball came out of her glove so she was no longer in the act of fielding, though the play was not over by a long shot.

I have never heard that interpretation of "act of fielding" before by any ump.

Hang on, change in scenario. You are now saying the fielder had possession of the ball at the time of the collision. That changes everything.

If you are stating the runner could have avoided her means the collision was intentional and that would be INT, dead ball, the runner is out. If the umpire judged that the purpose of the collision was to break up a DP (and that decision is not automatic), then the immediate trailing runner could be declared out. All other runners return to the base last occupied at the time of the INT. 8.7.Q of the 2014 ASA Rule Book.