quick question
 

I have, for some reason, gotten confused about a situation. I need some help.

1. If a runner is in contact with a base (one which he has legally acquired and has not been forced to vacate) and he is hit with a fair batted ball - what's the call?

2. If R1 is hit with a fair batted ball while in contact with 1B - what's the call?

3. If in sitch #2, F3 is behind him and could have made a play on the ball - what's the call?

Just for arguements sake let's assume it's a line drive, not an IFF.

I realize that there aren't many reasons for a runner to be in contact with a base when the ball is hit, but...

FED and OBR, please, if they differ.

MIB,

1. That's interference! Time! The runner is out! You (pointing at BR), first base. (And it makes no difference whether they have either "legally acquired" or been "forced to vacate" said base.)

2. Since there is no material difference in the situation, same as #1.

3. Again, same as #2.

The IFF sitch you subsequently raise is an "exception". If a runner is touching a base and gets hit with a fly ball declared an IFF, he is not out unless the contact is deemed "intentional".

JM

...in which case, interference, runner and batter both out (batter on the IFF, of course). ;)

If he intentionall interferes with a fielder's play on the ball he is out

The base is not a "safe haven" in this type of play. The rulings are the same whether the runner is in contact with the base or off the base (except in the case of a fly ball -- it needn't be an Infield Fly as defined).

Obr
 

1) If a fielder (except F1) has the ability to field the ball BEFORE the contact (F3 in front of R1, ball gets by F3) play on. Why give F3 any protection there? He had his chance.

2) Same as 1.

3) R1 out.

I'll look up references when I get home.

I have, for some reason, gotten confused about a situation.

Understandable if you have had anything to do with softball, in which the base is a sanctuary in most codes.

Softball ... :D

OK - you have confimred my original belief. I had a sitch presented to me by my UIC for HS. He said it's nothing. He knows his rules and so I got to looking and discussing it with another UIC.

The problem is that my HS UIC is also the UIC for softball. I thought the base was a safe haven in softball, but have not done enough to know for sure. He got his rules mixed up.

Thanks a million. I thought I knew the rules better than what he described, but he had me doubting myself.

The IFF exception I wasn't confused about - that's why I tried to omit it.

Thanks again.