Interference, Obstruction or Train Wreck??

[tibear]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

How dare you try to bring this back on topic!

There's a difference between "interfering with the ball" and "interfereing with the fielder." Once the ball is deflected, the runner is absolved from all but intentional contact with the ball. The fielder might still be protected, if he's fielding the ball and not chasing after a loose ball.

Bob,

You indicate that the fielder might be protected if he is not chasing after a loose ball. Isn't that what I put in the OP? The batted ball is deflected by F1 and rolling towards F4 when F4 and R1 collide. Is F4 still protected when he is playing the ball or is it obstruction on R1?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by tibear

Bob,

You indicate that the fielder might be protected if he is not chasing after a loose ball. Isn't that what I put in the OP?

No. You wrote: R1 is running towards second and there is a collision with F4 as he is coming in to play the ball.

There is a difference between coming in to play a batted ball and chasing a loose ball.

In your OP, as written, we have interference on the runner.

[tibear]

Originally Posted by GarthB

No. You wrote: R1 is running towards second and there is a collision with F4 as he is coming in to play the ball.

There is a difference between coming in to play a batted ball and chasing a loose ball.

In your OP, as written, we have interference on the runner.

So are you saying that a batted ball remains a batted ball until it is either being chased by a defensive player that has already touched it(in which case it is a loose ball but only for that defensive player) or the defense has had control of the ball(in which case it is a loose ball to all defensive players).

[mbyron]

I think that the crucial judgment call is whether the ball has deflected off a player or the player has misplayed the ball (and it's then a loose ball). The former leaves the fielding player's protection intact. In your OP you describe the ball being deflected, and hence the answers you received.