[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by rwest

The FED also has "initial play" on the ball. Meaning that if the ball is booted and the ball is within a step and a reach of the fielder, we still protect the fielder and intent is not required to get an out on the runner.

True statement.


But the rules I quoted are referring to a ball hitting the runner, not a runner interfering with the fielder.


That would be this one:


NFHS 8-6-10 - The runner is out:

ART. 10 . . . The runner interferes:

a. with a fielder attempting to make the initial play on a fair batted ball.
b. with a fielder attempting to field a fly ball over foul territory.

c. with a fielder attempting to throw the ball.

d. intentionally with a fielder or thrown ball.

NOTE: Jumping, hurdling and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground.


PENALTY: (Arts. 10 through 14) The ball is dead and the runner is out. Each other runner must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. When a runner is called out for interference, the batter-runner is awarded first base and credited with a fielder's choice. If this interference, in the judgment of the umpire, is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play and occurs before the runner is put out, the immediate succeeding runner shall also be called out. If interference occurs by the runner on a foul fly ball, the runner is out and the ball is dead. A foul ball is called in this situation and the batter remains at bat unless it was a bunt attempt with two strikes on the batter (F.P) or it was the third strike (S.P); the batter is also out in these cases. (Art. 14) The runner is also ejected.