Interference over Foul Territory

[Wendelstedt School]

This particular play describes the interpretation of when interference occurs by a runner. There is often confusion about the placement of the runners, especially the batter-runner. When a particular situation is ambiguous in the OBR, there are often differing opinions as to how to interpret the rules. This is one of those instances. It was recently brought up in the MiLB Winter Rules Test. Each year, this test serves as a sounding board for umpire supervisors and evaluators as to how the rule is to be enforced on the field. When different people interpret the same rule, it is sometimes split amongst the different schools, and between the Major Leagues and Minor Leagues. We hope to begin offering some insight into these interpretations from our view. This particular situation brought up by the Winter Rules Test actually occurred in a Major League game with umpire Joe West this past season. We agree with his interpretation.
This is not the play in the MiLB rules test, but with the same principle.

Play: R3, no outs, 1-1 count. The batter hits a pop up around third base, right over the foul line. As R3 attempts to return to third he runs into the third baseman.

You can find our interpretation and explanation at http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/umpschool.