[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Had a coach's interference call tonight, which led to the typical (crap)storm when I let play continue. Defensive coach comes up to me and says "I'm an umpire too, the ball is dead on coach's interference", to which I replied, "Then you should know the rule doesn't kill the ball." Honestly, I wasn't 100% positive, I was just focused on selling the call because I hadn't ever read coach's interference killing the play. 7.09(h) proscribes an out for the interference, but says nothing about killing the play. Did I screw up on a casebook play that I haven't seen, or did I get it right for some of the wrong reasons?

Here's the interpretation you're looking for, Matt.

Professional Interpretation:

“Physically assisting” implies that the coach did something by touching the runner which improved that runner's chance of accomplishing his goal as a runner. In other words, touching alone does not constitute physically assisting. The umpire must be convinced that the runner is trying to get back to a base or is trying to advance with a sense of urgency. When a play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire should call "Time" and enforce the penalty. The runner is out and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference (assistance). If no play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire shall signal that the runner is out and allow the ball to remain alive. This enforcement principle permits the defensive team to make plays on other runners if possible. It is also consistent with other enforcement principles in the Official Baseball Rules in which you have a "delayed dead ball": 7.06(b) - Obstruction with no play being made on the obstructed runner; and 7.08(h) - Runner declared out for passing a preceding runner.


Tim.