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Hmmm,
Rei intoned:
"My rule book is buried somewhere in my work van, so I could not look up the rule.
"BUT.........I found my 2007 casebook. Page 78 concerning rule 8.4.2, there is a "Comment":
"Quote:
"The umpire has the authority to declare two runners out when a runner or retired runner illegally interferes and prevents a double play In such circumstances, the runner who interferes is out and the other runner involved is also out. Also, when the batter-runner interfers, the umpire may declare two outs. The batter-runner is declared out and so is the runner who has advanced the nearest to home plate."
"Somehow, I think that if it is a home to third double play attempt, and the runner coming into home interferes, I would be calling the runner going into 3rd out too.
"If you can quote the rule to support your comment, I will gladly change my mind on this."
Rei:
I referred to this exact Case Book play at a local Portland Baseball Umpire Association general meeting this year.
Two of our members took me to task and pointed out that if the "Batter" caused the issue then you can call out the runner nearest to home plate. In this play, and the play I was discussing at the meeting, the runner caused the issue.
Again, the NFHS has tried to handle two situations in one paragraph and just made it confusing.
Last year I would have agreed with your view of the play -- I am now on Bob Jenkin's side of the street.
Good luck at the Legion State Tourament.
Regards,
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