Baiting runner interference

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by David B
I must have been too vague. I agree that PU should not "jump in" to something that he has no business.

But, in the case of the missed call, (usually this is with BU in C and the play is behind him) Now it might not ever happen to you or I but it does happen a lot simply because I have seen it several times in the last few years missed by veteran crews.

I guess you are referring to Rich's OBSTRUCTION "off the ball" situation, and in that case I would certainly agree - if the infraction is "missed" because BU's back is legitimately to the play, then PU has to make that call if he can.

But the situation that started this thread was INTERFERENCE on a ground ball to the infield. Given that BU's are supposed to keep their chest to the ball, it would be a highly unusual circumstance that allowed an action leading to INTERFERENCE to take place that BU "missed" because he was concentrating on following the path of the ball.

Otherwise I entirely agree with your philosophical approach to getting it right.

Cheers, mate.