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Originally Posted by Dave Hensley
I haven't seen the MLB play you're referencing, but my answer without seeing it is that it's likely, or at least possible, that the call was simply blown. MLB umps are, after all, human too. When they rule contrary to black letter rule and interpretation, it doesn't mean they've established new precedent - it just means they screwed up.
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This play happened a few years ago, and was replayed on Sports Center and Baseball Tonight over and over. Vina, the 2nd baseman, fielded a ground ball and was going to tag Albert Belle in the baseline and then throw to 1st for the DP. Belle just gave Vina a forearm shiver and decked him. No call. I thought it was a good no call myself, as Albert was just trying to stay out of a double play.
Where exactly in 7.08(b) do you see wording that says the runner can't interfere with a fielder's attempt to throw the ball? It says he can't hinder a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball, and he cannot intentionally interfere with a thrown ball. I say (and disagree with J/R, apparently) that the fielder's protection under this rule ends when he secures possesion of the baseball, and until he releases a subsequent throw, may be crashed into at will, as long as the baserunner doesn't go out of the baseline to do so. Once the throw is made, then the runner cannot intentionally interfere with the throw.
JEA says the following concerning 7.08(b) [emphasis added]:
A fielder who is still down in a crouched position is still considered in the act of fielding a batted ball (attempting to make a play). Once he stands up with the ball in his possession, he is considered as having completed his fielding effort.
A fielder who errs in his first attempt to field a batted ball is still protected under this rule as long as the ball is in his immediate reach and he continues to try to field the ball. Professional umpires determine “immediate reach” as being within “one step and an arm’s length” reach.
The interference of a runner with a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball does not have to be intentional. Any action, however, that is taken by the runner which is palpably designed to interfere should be ruled interference. This includes his advancement to intentionally confuse or hinder the fielder.