Thread: Did I kick it ?
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Old Fri Sep 30, 2011, 09:21pm
EsqUmp EsqUmp is offline
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Simply put, the deflected ball rule applies. Unless the runner intentionally interfered, there is no interference. The ball is live and the runner is not out.

Knowing the rationale may help. On an initially batted ball, the runners are expected to watch (or at least see) the ball. So they can be called out without intent to interfere. Compare that to the deflected ball. The runner isn't required to watch the ball everlasting. Therefore, they can't be held accountable when the ball flies off in another direction, UNLESS, they saw it happen and intentionally interfered. That's because, even though they weren't required to look for the ball, they saw it anyway and "fairness" requires them to act appropriately. In this case, acting appropriately means to avoid interfering when you know you can do so.
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