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Hmmmmm,
Welcome to the board.
We basically killed this one last year.
There are two schools of thought:
Some agree with the obstruction/interference interpretation.
Others feel that:
1) A runner is allowed to enter the inside of the diamond during the last step and one half. So his position is legal.
2) Now comes the hard part, IF the fielder has secured the ball (caught, gloved or whatever term the MM's want to use) ANYTHING that happens after that is unimportant. There is no rule that says "how long" a fielder needs to secure the ball in this type play.
When a ball is caught (or whatever term you want) the out is recorded. We do not have to have ANY of the determiners of catching a ball "in flight."
The ruling would be done the instant F3 secures the ball and touches the base. That's it . . . that's the LIST. The collision means nothing EVEN IF THE BALL COMES FREE.
The runner would be out. Remember this is a "force play" and NOT a tag play. There is a difference.
The play would not be either obstruction or interference. It would be simply an out.
Tee
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