Interference or Obstruction or Neither
 

R1, BR hits a popup between first and second. The first baseman gets tangled up with R1 preventing him from getting to the ball. There seemed to be no intent on either offensive or defensive player to imped the other. What do you have?

I have interference. Runners bear the responsibility of allowing a fielder access to a batted ball unhindered, regardless of their intent.


Tim.

David M.,

As described, the R1 is guilty of offensive interference.

The ball is dead, R1 is out, BR is awarded 1B. 7.09(i)

JM

Interference here too...intent doesn't matter.

If R1 is standing on the base at the time of contact, it is not necessarily INT unless the action is deliberate.

It would be difficult for R1 in contact with the base to hinder F3 when the ball was popped up between first and second.


Tim.

Well, 2 feet to the 2B side of 1B is between 1B and 2B, right? ;)


Now we commence with the usual listing of 10,000 changes to the OP that would result in different rulings....

I didn't say it was impossible, just difficult..................:cool:


Tim.

Well I don't know who the protected fielder is in this stich, If the 2nd baseman would be closer to the ball, I think I might have Obstruction here.