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This discussion brings to mind a talk I had last winter with a member of the NFHS staff about the difference between interference on a batter and on a batter-runner.
In the OP we have a runner from 3B that makes contact with a defender. ASA 8.7-J states that interference is the call when a runner interferrs with a fielder attempting to field a batted fair ball. At the time of contact the ball was in foul territory, so we do not have a fair batted ball. Of course, the fielder may have been trying to kill the ball foul because he did not have a play for an out, but we don't have a rule to cover that.
The interpretation from my NFHS friend was "no interference."
The problem is with ASA 8.2-F which is about a batter-runner interferring with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball! Now assume we have a bunt outside the 1B line and F1 comes over to the ball and is contacted by the B-R. Doesn't matter the location of the ball; it is a batted ball. Interference is the call (NFHS interpretation, but NFHS and ASA rules are identical).
I have no idea why we have two rules that can be so contradictory in application to similar situations. Originally both rules used the words "batted ball." In 1999 (or 2000?) ASA added the adjective "Fair" to the runner rule (8.7) but not to the B-R rule 8.2. Is this a typo, or error of omission? The word "fail" adds clarification to the rule and it is logical that ASA deliberately did so. But why not 8.2 also?
WMB
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