[greymule]

The quote from J/R is correct. It goes on to give two examples:

1. R1, stealing on a full count. Ball 4 is called and R1 slides into 2B, whereupon F4 tells him the ball was batted foul, and he begins to walk back to 1B.

2. R1, hit and run. BR hits a pop fly but F6 fakes as if it is a ground ball, causing R1 to slide into 2B.

Apparently these are both legal plays.

As for preventing injuries, I can find no mention of fake tag (the obvious case) in either the PBUC or J/R (or the official rules). The BRD, under "fake tag," gives a lot of guidance, but it all pertains to "Fed only." For both NCAA and OBR, it says, "No provisions." Interesting that for OBR it says, "See [paragraph symbol] 7," which means "be certain you check with the supervisor of your league before enforcing the straight OBR rule outlined in that clause." In other words, a fake tag may be legal in MLB, but the league you're working probably outlaws it.

As regards interference and obstruction, softball obviously calls them in many cases where OBR would not.

J/R, incidentally, offers zillions of case plays (even more than the PBUC) and explains how they should be called. It goes over all kinds of fine points and possibilities in detail unlike anything else I've ever seen. Not that it can be used as a guide in softball, but reading the case plays makes one wonder, "How would I call that play if it occurred in my ASA (NSA, Fed, USSSA) game?"

For what it's worth, when I played, fake tags were considered unsportsmanlike only if they were unnecessary (runner stealing 2B, batters fouls the ball, F6 fakes a tag anyway). However, if the fielder had a legitimate reason for wanting to slow the runner down (runner stealing 2B, ball gets away from catcher), that was OK. Even then, that was considered "bush," since runners knew better than to react to what a fielder was doing.