[wadeintothem]

ASA Rules with 1 out.

R1@1B who is stealing/hit and run and off on the pitch

High pop up to F5 who is set under the ball about 10' from 2B for the obvious easy catch and DP on the appeal - R1 hits into her, ball goes to the ground. I call dead ball and bang em both. End of inning. Offensive coach wanted DB 1 out and acknowledged that it was an easy DP, his runner was gone and "he picked the wrong time to steal".

Much debate ensued later (post game discussion) with other umpires who saw it as to whether that was appropriate... because they are arguing the wording of 8-2-F-Note essentially requires intent to break up a DP and I am more liberally applying it to mean an "action to prevent". Running into a set fielder making a catch would apply... and who knows maybe it was even intentional - but I was not judging intent on this. It was an obvious easy DP and she prevented it by interfering with the fielder .. So even if not intentional, I got 2 on that.

I realize the rule is essentially and acknowledge to them that the rule was written for the grounder type 6-4-3 double play (or whatever) - however within the spirit of the rules - an action like that taking out the obvious appeal DP applies (or essentially that type of action is rewarded).

What say you?