Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn
and if BR interfered, the ball never hit BR - the play ended at the moment of interference.
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Mike,
Let's go from here based on the INT occurring prior to the ball hitting the BR, or actually the retired BR.
Based on the assumption that the ball was over fair territory at the time of the INT, that player is retired.
IMO, the IF is in effect as soon as the umpire declares to be so since there is not an "oops, nevermind" option. I believe the assumption that when called, the ball is fair unless it is determined to be foul at a later point in time. The ball becoming foul after the declaration is basically the exception as opposed to the rule. Regardless, in the OP even if the ball is foul, the BR is out, there is no other option with an INT call.
That being a possible case on point, would not the only question be is whether the defense was deprived of the opportunity to retire another runner because of the INT.