USA Softball - Interference - Thrown ball

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

First of all, situation 3 is dealing with a retired runner (i.e. not a runner).

That does not matter. The rule does not differentiate between a runner or a retired runner except to determine which runner ends up being called out. The rule states "the runner is out...when the runner interferes...." There is not a separate rule for retired runners. Only the EFFECT is different because you can't call a retired runner out.

Secondly, the retired runner committed an act of interference.

The retired runner ran back to the dugout. This is splitting hairs that you earlier didn't like me doing.

Thirdly, by inference, when the runner committed said act of interference, it did have a bearing on whether the runner had the right to be where she ended up. (Hint: She didn't.)

The runner did have a right to be where she was; she just didn't have a right to do what she did. It was her "act," not her location, that got her in trouble. If she had stood still where she was, I guarantee the result of the play would have been no interference.