How much contact in too much?

[umpire99]

How much contact does there need to be between a baserunner and a fielder who is attempting to field the ball before interference is called?

I had on with some contact in a FED game today. When the coach asked if there was contact I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference. When he then asked how much contact there needs to be I realized that maybe any contact at all is cause for interference so I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by umpire99

How much contact does there need to be between a baserunner and a fielder who is attempting to field the ball before interference is called?

I had on with some contact in a FED game today. When the coach asked if there was contact I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference. When he then asked how much contact there needs to be I realized that maybe any contact at all is cause for interference so I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

FED: Interference is any act (physical [including visual] or verbal)
that impedes, hinders, or confuses the defense.

Contact alone, is not the sole contributing factor. How much? Your first reply was acceptable however, it could have been more correct if stated , "In my judgement, there was not enough contact for me to call interference.

[Rich Ives]

Contact isn't required for interference.

Was the fielder hindered?

[bob jenkins]

OBR as the runner being out for *contacting* the (protected) fielder.

FED does not have such a clause -- the umpire must judge that the fielder was hindered.

And, you shouldn't change your answer to the coach.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by umpire99

How much contact does there need to be between a baserunner and a fielder who is attempting to field the ball before interference is called?

I had on with some contact in a FED game today. When the coach asked if there was contact I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference. When he then asked how much contact there needs to be I realized that maybe any contact at all is cause for interference so I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

So ... you lied to avoid a protest?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by umpire99

How much contact does there need to be between a baserunner and a fielder who is attempting to field the ball before interference is called?

I had on with some contact in a FED game today. When the coach asked if there was contact I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference. When he then asked how much contact there needs to be I realized that maybe any contact at all is cause for interference so I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

Your ruling should be whether or not the fielder was hindered.

And you should never lie to a coach.

Rita

[JRutledge]

It sounds to me like he just got caught up in the wording or misunderstanding of the rule. I bet he knows the rule know that he has is asking about this situation. Not sure I would consider that a "lie" but not having a full understanding of what is required, considering he is asking a question about "how much contact."

Peace

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It sounds to me like he just got caught up in the wording or misunderstanding of the rule. I bet he knows the rule know that he has is asking about this situation. Not sure I would consider that a "lie" but not having a full understanding of what is required, considering he is asking a question about "how much contact."

Peace

Huh????

"I had on with some contact in a FED game today."
"I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference."

I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Huh????

"I had on with some contact in a FED game today."
"I told him that there was not enough contact for me to call interference."

I changed my answer to "In my judgement, there was no contact." I knew that using the phrase "in my judgement" would stop the discussion there.

I guess you have never come in contact with officials that talk without being sure or positive about the actual rule? He sounded like he was unsure and I am also assuming that on some level when an individual has to ask such a rules question at a place like this. He clearly was not sure if what he was saying is true or we would not be reading any of his comments in my opinion.

Peace

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I guess you have never come in contact with officials that talk without being sure or positive about the actual rule? He sounded like he was unsure and I am also assuming that on some level when an individual has to ask such a rules question at a place like this. He clearly was not sure if what he was saying is true or we would not be reading any of his comments in my opinion.

Peace

Sure I have. That's kind of irrelevant.

He said 1) he had one with some contact; and 2) he told coach there was no contact.

Don't lie to a coach and call it judgement just to avoid a protest. I think this is good advice. Maybe you disagree... but its completely clear that he lied to the coach on purpose, and called it judgement so he had a way out. This is ethically wrong.