Interference or not?

[iclaudius]

Here's the situation:

Little League-Senior Division (13-15 yo boys). One out and there are runners at 1st and 3rd. Ball is hit and the runner advancing from first is forced out at second. The 3rd base runner, with no play at home attempted by the defense, literally strolls across the home plate, tying a close ball game. The home plate umpire observed the runner, before he crossed home plate, being "high-fived" by the on-deck batter. There was no assistance offered by the child offering the "high-five" and certainly there was no obstruction or impediment to his teammates progress. The defense had not contested the runner as he scored.

The home plate umpire, in his judgment, declares the scored run null and void and further declares the runner to be put out. The home plate umpire informs the third base coach, the "rules" do not permit this contact, however innocent, and the game continues. I believe this is an example of incredibly poor judgment and violates the spirit of Little League baseball if not the actual "rules" themselves.

Sooooooo...here's the question. Just what rule was violated? Chapter and verse, please. This was the second worst call I have ever seen in baseball and I am now 50 years old. Could you or others offer your opinions regarding this call and cite other sources or experiences with calls similar to this?

http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/littlel.../rulemyths.htm

Rule 7.09(I) says the runner is out if the coach PHYSICALLY ASSISTS the runner. Hand slaps (the offense committed by this child), back pats or simple touches are not physical assists.

I appreciate your clearing this up!

Thanks
Dr. William C. Elmore
District 6 Little League
Fayetteville, NC