Obstruction or Interference? Tricky call

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Durham

A.R. 4—If a fielder has a chance to field a batted ball, but misplays it and must chase after the ball, the fielder must avoid the runner. If contact occurs, obstruction shall be called.


The above is the NCAA rule. The fielder did not have a chance to field the ball and he did not misplay it, it hit him. Furthermore how can you call obstruction on someone that has the ball in their hand and then gets run into? Even if he doesn't quiet have the ball, AR3 states immediate reach, and the ball was that if not in the fielder's hand. This is interference as per AR3.

Approved ruling #4 is all you need to look at to call this play correctly. As Steve mentioned, F1 had ample opportunity to attempt to field the ball, but chose to try a hockey style kick save instead. Not that it matters anyway as there's no distinction on a ball being deflected because the ball hit's a fielder or the fielder hit's the ball. Immediate reach is defined in the J/R as within a step and a reach of the ball's deflection point.



Tim.