[QUOTE]
Originally posted by greymule
I'm puzzled. If there's physical contact, we call interference even if the fielder makes a clean play. If Abel is on 2B and Baker hits a grounder to F6, don't we call Abel out for interference if he stands in front of F6 and waves his arms, even if F6 fields the ball and completes the play at 1B?[/quote}
No, I simply stated sometimes it may be better to make sure the fielder may have actually been effected by the act of the runner. I'm not talking about waiting until the play is over, just a hesitation. Maybe the defense can pull a double play you were not anticipating. There are many umpires on this board that would rule a runner out simply for running in front of a defender fielding the ball. I don't believe that is the proper call, but it happens and the umpire will routinely insist the act of running in "front" of the fielder is enough for an interference call. Meanwhile, the defender turns a double play why that umpire is standing there calling dead ball. Obviously, the "act" did not interfere with the SS making the play. I suggesting that you, as the umpire, use your judgment and slow down before making a call.
In an obvious case of an attempt to interfere, of course, you are going to call the runner out, but that doesn't mean you have to stop the play that millisecond.
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And just when is a runner or batter liable to be put out for USC? Abel gets a single. Ball goes back to the mound. Time out. Abel punches F3. Is Abel out as well as ejected?
Strike 2. Batter says, "F*** you!" Is he ejected and out?
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I'm sorry, Grey, but where have you been all year? Beginning around February, this has been discussed at length on more than on occasion on this board. It is in the case book. It was on the test. I questioned Bob Savoie on it and was directed to rule in that manner and it was the NUS fault the book did not get corrected. He insured me that if such a ruling was protested, Oklahoma City (ASA) would rule on the side of the out and ejection. I believed I reported that on this board and McGriffs.
I may have even raised the issue before then because I was talking with Walt Sparks about it last August at the Interservice National in FL.
It's real simple, if an active offensive player commits and act of unsportsmanlike conduct, the ball is dead, the player is ruled out and all runners return to the last base touched at the time of the USC.