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Originally Posted by jwwashburn
-why is a runner automatically not guilty of interference if that ball hits her...
Joe
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What am I missing here?
If a runner, off the base, is hit by a batted ball before the ball has passed a fielder (excluding the pitcher) the runner is OUT!
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I can see being confused as to why a defender is not protected from interference when the ball deflected off another fielder, but is protected when the ball deflects off the pitcher.
The Initial Play rule is the NFHS's way to bring in ASA's deflected ball or NCAA's ricocheted ball rules. Those rules are based on the assumption that there is no chance to get an out after the ball was not fielded by the intial fielder, so the second fielder does not deserve interference protection. However, the NFHS committee felt that a ball deflected by a pitcher typically does not significantly change directions or slow down, so they felt the defender was still making an initial play, with a chance to get an out.
The NFHS went ASA and NCAA one better by declaring that a defender is still making an initial play on a deflected ball (off anyone) that remains in-flight. Thus the mere act of catching the ball gets an out; the defender is still protected from interference.
WMB