Interference by fielder question.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by LMan

Would this not be Type A? F4 is 'playing' on the runner by forcing him at 3B. You dont have to tag a runner to be 'playing' on him.

Its the batter-runner who is not being played on.

LMan,

In order for any runner to be "played upon", some member of the defense must have posession of the ball. That's why I qualified my statement with "...If the F5 had not yet fielded the ball at the time of the collision ...".

If, on the other hand, the F5 had fielded the ball at the time of the collision (In the OP's sitch) and was running toward either the R2 or 3B to make a tag, then we would have an OBR Type A Obstruction and the ball would be immediately dead and the R2 awarded 3B.

JM