Quote:
Originally Posted by bob jenkins
"Willful indifference" is generally viewed as equivalent to "intentional" (rules-wise).
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I dunno, Bob.
"He could have moved" ≠ "he intentionally deflected a foul ball which has a chance to become fair." Not easy to sell, either.
If the rules makers wanted us to call INT on this play, they could have made the rule like 7-4-1f, which puts the burden on a base coach, for example, to get out of the way. I see a significant difference between "willful indifference" when it comes to avoiding a
fielder and "willful indifference" in avoiding a foul ball.
This rule is more like INT on a thrown ball: the player must actively do something to deflect the ball, not merely stay put.
Usually your account of what's "generally viewed" is sufficient for me, but I'm having trouble buying this one, given the clear language of 7-4-1i.