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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
I not so sure I agree about protection for the fielder making a throw, after successfully fielding the batted ball. What about that now famous play where Albert Belle clocked Vina in the baseline the moment he fielded the ball, thus preventing any further play on Vina's part? There certainly was no interference called on that. I would be more likely to rule as Ace did, since by rule, the fielder is protected only while fielding a batted ball. Rule 7.09 (g,h,l).
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While 7.09(l) refers to interfering with a fielder "fielding a batted ball," 7.08(b) more explicitly prohibits a runner from interfering with a fielder "
making a play" on a batted ball. This more accurately describes the act of both fielding the batted ball and then continuing with the throw or tag attempt to retire an offensive player.
In the original play, if the umpire judges that the fielder had an opportunity to put out either the runner scoring from 3B or the batter runner at 1B, and the contact by R2 interfered with that opportunity, then he is supported by rule, 7.08(b), in ruling interference.