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Old Tue Mar 24, 2009, 08:21am
MajorDave MajorDave is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Players Creating Interference and/or Obstruction

Quote:
Originally Posted by mbyron View Post
...... The only way I could see interference NOT being called in this type of case would be one where the fielder intentionally throws himself at the runner to draw the interference call. I've never seen it or heard of it happen, but I'm sure that someone around here has!
I have been noticing this a lot lately. Usually with batter/catcher interference on throws to second or third base by the catcher. Some batters swing their butts around on a completed swing. Usually the catcher has released the ball and then takes a step and leans forward in an attempt to create contact in case the throw does not retire the runner.

I have also had a runner approaching home on a timing play where the runner (R1) got himself in a rundown. The tag was made on the R1 between first and second and F2 was well in front of home plate calling for the ball as R3 approached home. R3 stepped into fair territory and bumped shoulders with F2 in front of the plate then stomped the plate. I had the third out on R1 before the plate touch and almost simultaneously with the bump. Offensive coach went ballistic asking for "interference" on F2. I have no doubt in mind whatsoever that he called for this play and taught it to his players. It ended the game. I walked away as he was fuming and dumped the balls in front of home dugout and kept going as he stomped and cursed and waived his hands, etc. My partner,a much more senior umpire than me, and I had a good laugh. He had never seen that play attempt by the offense before. Funny thing is that if R3 had just slid or ran straight through the plate he would have probably been safe with the tying run.

As far as runners and fielders creating it on the basepaths I have not yet seen it but as you stated, someone else probably has. I did post an NCAA Interference situation on my blog at umpire-empire a couple of weeks back that was remarkable. Without re-typing that whole story it came down to opportunity of the runner to avoid the contact. He had what I believed to be an opportunity to avoid the fielder and I called interference although somewhat belatedly due to what I believed to be a severe injury to F4 as a result of being run over with a thigh and knee to the head and neck by R1. F4 had to leave the game due to the injury. He kept saying "I see colors and stars....." Kind of funny in retrospect but pretty scary when it happened.
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