Inf?
Hi Folks,
New ump this year, covering Adult Co-Ed. Unfortunately all our games are worked solo, resulting in rare opportunities to discuss situations post game (as I don't like discussing plays with players who are qualified umpires that were in the game, 'cause they were in the game).
Apologies if I'm asking something already covered, but having lurked here a while I don't remember this kinda question.
Anyway, to the question:
R1 and R2 on 2B and 1B, ball hit to outfield and as R2 is a slow runner the only play is at 2B for a force out by a 2 or 3 steps. Fielder comes set next to the base in case of another play but R1 and BR are both stopped on 3B and 1B. R2 then collides with the fielder, no intent, but since theres no advance of either remaining runner I just call time. As I walk back to the plate I think damn, did I just let an INF go there. My feeling was that I'm OK as there was no advance and so there was no play and therefore ultimately no INF. However, the rules seem to be very specific about umpire judgement about potential outcomes in terms of OBS (i.e. place obstructed runners where you judge they would have reached) but not so for INF.
So, was I right or should I have gone straight for INF once the runner collided with the fielder during live ball?
Aside: no comment or query from the defense, so the debate was purely in my head!
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