Dropped 3rd strike interference or not

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by flyingron

He's talking about 8.2.7 in the case book rather than the rules. That's divided into four "situations"

The only one that seemingly applies here is "D"

B3 has a count of 3-2 with no runners on base and two outs. On the next pitch B3 swings and misses. The ball bounces off F2's shin guard and lands in front of home plate. As F2 moves out to field the ball, (a) b3 runs into her and knocks her down or (b) B3 unintentionally kicks the ball. RULING: In both (a) and (b), interference; the umpire calls "dead ball" and rules the batter-runner out.

Thanx for clarification - I mixed up NFHS & USA on the references.

Still, the question remains from the OP: what did the BR do to warrant an INT call?

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Thanx for clarification - I mixed up NFHS & USA on the references.

Still, the question remains from the OP: what did the BR do to warrant an INT call?

NFHS Situation 8.2.7 Situation D (b) unintentionally kicks the ball.

Ruling: out for interference.

I would agree the ruling is interference, but I also agree with your thinking about what they did to warrant the interference call. To me this should be an umpires judgment call regarding if the batter runner intentionally interfered. I don't like penalizing a player because of a bad bounce on a bad play by the opponent.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

To me this should be an umpires judgment call regarding if the batter runner intentionally interfered. I don't like penalizing a player because of a bad bounce on a bad play by the opponent.

If the BR did ANYthing (intentional or unintentional) that could be deemed INT, then call it.

The OP states a pitched ball hit the ground, bounced off F2, and then hit the BR. I don't see any justification for an INT/Out call here.

I know this was an NFHS question (which I confused at first), but I posted a question about when the "intent" of a player's actions was removed from ASA/USA. I know it was a few years ago. I also asked if there was a listing of what actions an umpire might consider as "intentional" violations. Sadly, got no answers to that query.