Interference OBR vs. FED

[PeteBooth]

OBR 7.09(g) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner.

FED rule 8-4-2g If, in the judgement of the umpire, a runner including the Batter Runner interferes in any way
and prevents a double play anywhere, two shall be declared out (the runner who interfered and the other runner involved).

Papa C, I didn't get to the BRD section on Interference, so pardon me for a minute.

Based upon the above, IMO it appears that in OBR becasue of the wording willfully and deliberately , that one will rarely have 2 outs concerning interference on a DP situation. (Remeber the infamous Reggie Jackson play in the World Series)

whereas

In FED it's basically an automatic DP becasue of the term interferes in any way

Therefore, can one conclude - utilizing FED, that interference on a DP situation will most always result in 2 outs via 8-4-2b and 8-4-2g?

Thanks

Pete Booth

[Gre144]

I think that maybe it works like this but this is my opinion. If there is a force situation and a throw is being made to the defensive player at or near a bag for the force out at which time a collision occurs, two outs will be called. Otherwise, interference will be called( such as when R1 runs into F4 as he pick up the grounder) and one or two outs will be called depending on the umpires judgment.

There does seem to be a contradiction between FED 8.4.2b and 8.8.2g. In 8.4.2.b if interference occurs on a force situation it is automatically 2 outs. In 8.4.2g if interference occurs on a force situation, two outs can only be called if the runner prevented a double play. These rule contradiction definitly need some clarification.

I think the question that needs to be answered by the forum is the following:

What is the difference between a force-play slide with at least a man on first base and interference with at least a man on first base?

Thanks

Greg

[Edited by Gre144 on Mar 27th, 2001 at 02:32 PM]

I think you have it right. In 8.4.2.b it's a safety rule that takes it step beyond OBR. It covers action around the base itself. 8.4.2.g is running into a fielder, kicking a batted ball,etc. I don't have my FED book with me so I'm doing it from memory so I may have it wrong.