[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Gre144
Today,I had the following situation. R1 runs to second base on a high ground ball hit to F4. R1 does not slide into second and runs into F6 on the force play at second. I called interference on R1 and only one out since it was not likely that that the interference prevented a double play. The coach came out of the dugout and said that R1 must slide and therefore it is an automatic two outs. As I understand it in FED, the runner never has to slide but if he chooses to do so, the slide must be legal. If it is an illegal slide then the force-slide play is in affect(with first base occupied) and the umpire calls two outs.

My question is the following
1)Is the above situation a force slide play and two outs to be called or just interference and the outs to be determined by the umpire.

2) Or should I have called nothing since R1 was out on the force at second inspite of the interference and he, in my opinion, did not prevent a double play.

FED rule 8-4-2b

PENALTY: The runner is out, the ball is dead immediately, and interference is called. On a force play slide (your scenario) with less than two outs, the runner is declared out, as well as the batter-runner. Runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. With 2 outs, the runner is declared out. The batter is credited with a fielder's choice.

In your example, we have an automatic 2 outs. We get to go home early.

Pete Booth