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If he stopped prior to the reaching the path of the ball going to F6, then he likely was either attempting to avoid the ball or to delay his timing to better hide his attempt to interfere. Other actions might indicate attempt to interfere, but from what you''ve posted you've not indicated any such other actions. Merely being near the protected fielder is seldom ruled interference without some other evidence of an infraction.
By stopping before entering the path of the ball, R2 has bought himself the excuse that, indeed, he was worried about the ball striking him---even if he wasn't. By delaying to allow the ball to pass in front of him, he has likely putting himself in jeopardy in reaching a base safely. I don't call interference when the runner is doing nothing more than what he's supposed to be doing---attempting to safely acquire a base AND avoid being hit by the batted ball.
What I watch for is the runner who mambos in front of F6 and then ends it just before the ball arrives near him---allowing the ball to pass behind him or through his legs. IMO, the mambo only takes time, and since he chose to break the path of the ball, that proves he wasn't worried about the ball striking him. Thus, his mambo was an obvious attempt to obstruct the vision of F6----INTERFERENCE.
Teams argue interference calls---whether the call is correct or incorrect.
I've seen them run into or bowl over fielders fielding batted balls and still argue. If you call interference, expect an argument---but the argument doesn't mean the call is wrong.
While this call can be made by either official, PU generally has the better look at the entire play and the action as it develops and happens. He should jump on the call if it happens since most of the action is behind the BU's back if BU started in C position. Frequently BU sees only the remnants of the action and is left guessing about the details of what just occurred behind him. If I'm the BU and uncertain, I'll not call interference. I feel if interference occurred, then the PU should have made the call after seeing the action. I'll not call a runner out on a "guess" of what occurred. If I'm certain I saw and judge interference, then I'll call it from either position.
Freix
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