Quote:
Originally posted by WestMichBlue
Doesn't matter where a second fielder is located. Once a ball touches a fielder interference cannot be called if the ball is touched by a runner.
WMB
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The runner doesn't get a blank check if the ball deflects off of a defender. My rule backing my position is found in POE 33-1-B.
"It is interference if the batted ball deflects off one defensive player and the runner intentionally interferes with any defensive player who has the opportunity to make an out."
I believe intentionally hitting the ball would be cause for interference. I don't believe the interference has to be physically on the defensive player.
I realize the situation described did not indicate the contact was intentional. I just bring it up to refute the statement that once the ball has been deflected by a defender that interference can not be called on the runner.
I noticed that this has changed from last year's rule book which read:
"It is interference if the batted ball ricochets off one defensive player and any player has the opportunity to make an out."
So they've made it mandatory that intent is required.
In the situation described, I would have not called interference under this years rules. Last, year I would have interference because F6 (I beleive) was covering on the play and had an opportunity to make an out.
Wonder why this change did not show up under the 2005 Playing Rule Changes?
JMHO