LLWS - Washington / Connecticut

[aceholleran]

Yep, I've got a train wreck, and, as Rich said, same result, except original R2 is now on 3B and R3 is out in the pickle.

To me, using CS&FP rule book, both F6 and R2 were doing what they were supposed to.

Did anyone see the "sitting" tag at 2B? R1. 1 out. B1 grounds to F3, who steps on first in plenty of time and throws to F6 at 2B. He applies tag (which looked to be an out) and his glove his tucked under R1's leg for a good second or two. When he tries to show ball to U2, the rock squirts out. U2 calls out, then safe.

I am leaning toward an out here. F6 was trying to show the ball. R1 did not kick it out or anything of the sort. Verrrrrrry interesting. I'm hoping a Jacksa-Roder expert will check in.

Ace

[RPatrino]

Guys on another board are of the opinion that F6 is afforded some protection on an already fielded ball, and I have not heard what protection they feel he should be given. He has possession of the ball, the runner has the lane, and a fielder with a ball coming at him would cause the runner to stop or try to go around, but he is not obligated to do either by rule. Was F6 trying to throw the ball home when R2 hit him?

[BayStateRef]

Video is here.
Connecticut Wins Thriller In LLWS - ESPN Video - ESPN



You will have to deal with a commercial first. (Video will start at 1:40, which is the start of the play in question.)

[RPatrino]

I have a train wreck, I don't see the fielder getting protection while running around the infield with a ball.

[rbmartin]

2.00—Definitions of Terms.

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

INTERFERENCE (a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play.

Obstruction? NO (you cannot obstruct if you possess the ball).
Interference? Maybe technically because it states "A PLAY" not just "A THROW" (you could be attempting to make a play while running around with the ball). I would not have called it here. I think "Train Wreck...play on" is the proper ruling here.

[RPatrino]

That is the key to this judgement call. If you judge the fielder was making a play when he was hit by R2, then you have interference. I couldn't tell from the video clip where the fielder was thinking about making a play.

[rbmartin]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I couldn't tell from the video clip where the fielder was thinking about making a play.

Good point. I would say he was running with the ball thinking about making a play, not actually making one.

[jwwashburn]

If the SS would have tagged the runner instead of running into him that might have been a good idea:-)

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Guys on another board are of the opinion that F6 is afforded some protection on an already fielded ball, and I have not heard what protection they feel he should be given. He has possession of the ball, the runner has the lane, and a fielder with a ball coming at him would cause the runner to stop or try to go around, but he is not obligated to do either by rule. Was F6 trying to throw the ball home when R2 hit him?

What other board? Evans' board has turned into Smittyville. Haven't looked over there in a long time.

[robbie]

Dead ball. Interference. And I dont even see a coach coming to question / complain. No brainer.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by robbie

Dead ball. Interference. And I dont even see a coach coming to question / complain. No brainer.

You didn't see the huddles with the umpires and both coaches? There were animated conversations. Must have been about where to go for dinner I guess.

[DG]

Looks like SS was running at a runner trapped between 3rd and home. He was making a play on the runner it appears. He was not randomly running around the infield with no idea what he was going to do.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by DG

Looks like SS was running at a runner trapped between 3rd and home. He was making a play on the runner it appears. He was not randomly running around the infield with no idea what he was going to do.

He had three ideas - throw home, throw to 3B, or run at R3. He missed option 4 - tag R2. While he was still pondering his options he collided with R2. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

What other board? Evans' board has turned into Smittyville. Haven't looked over there in a long time.

Umpire Empire

[ozzy6900]

From what I can see in the video, R2 had no chance to change his direction as F6 ran right into R2's path. The question is, do you say that F6 was actually making a play or simply running to a different location.

I have F6 running to a different location and not actually making a play.

Train Wreck, play on!