Running Lane Question?

[insatty]

It's important to remember that the runners'-lane rule refers to the runner's interference with F3 taking the throw, not the fielder throwing. If the throw isn't perfect, therfore, the umpire's analysis should focus on whether F3 could have caught the ball if the runner weren't violating. Thus, unless the throw is so bad that no reasonable fielder could have caught it the umpire should resolve doubt on the side of calling interference. Especially in upper-level games where the fielder's athletcism permits them to field most of what comes at them.

For baseball officials that also officiate football, an good analogy is to a deep official's analysis of whether a pass is uncatchable to permit the waiving off of a DPI flag. College-level players are good enough to catch many a bad pass, so the pro and D-1 philosophy is to resolve doubt on the side of catchable.