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Interference or Obstruction?
R1 and R2 1 out, Batter bunts down first base line. First baseman comes down line and starts to crouch to field ball as catcher starts yelling "let it go foul". While the firstbaseman is still crouched and within inches of the ball (still fair and remained fair) the batter runner bumps the firstbaseman moving him a step . The first baseman then goes back to the ball and picks it up to late for a play.
I was not umpiring this game but my opinion is interference on batter send R1 and R2 back. My reasoning is that the batter runner must avoid the fielder who was in the act of fielding. Even though he had just started to track the ball, he was still in the act of fielding. The umpires involved ruled nothing on the call (no interference or obstruction). They reasoned that since the fielder, after contact, waited for the ball to stop before picking it up. I believe they erred in that interference should be called immediately. We cant wait to see what occurs afterwards then decide.
What do you think....
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