Twins Interference @1st Base

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by UES

Unfortunately, this play was ruled incorrectly. In PRO and College baseball, the B/R can take any path he wishes to first base, however, he runs the risk of getting called for interference if he is outside the runner's lane on the last 45 feet to the base EXCEPT for his last step, stride or when he is in the immediate vicinity of the base, he is allowed to be outside the lane.

The fact that he was outside the entire way is NOT illegal and does not come into play UNLESS he interferes with a quality throw between the beginning of the 45 ft lane until a step, stride or immediate vicinity of 1st base. In the original play, the B/R gets hit by the throw too late (i.e, he was to close to the base) and thus is protected by the rule REGARDLESS of the path traveled for the first 87+ feet.

Don't get me wrong, if the call could go either way (ie. was B/R hit just before or after his final stride to the base) and he was running inside the whole time, then we tend to give the benefit of the doubt to the fielder and call the interference. However, the B/R was just too close to 1st base at the time he got hit by throw and thus, should NOT have been called for interference (at PRO & NCAA levels).

Not what Wendelstedt teaches (at least in their 2011 WUM):

"A runner that is running the entire distance outside of the running lane will not be protected if he interferes with a play at first base, even if it is in his last stride or step to the base. In order to be protected, this last step must be when he first exits the running lane."