ASA slowpitch

Batter hits a line drive about 2 feet off the third base line in foul territory. 3rd base coach(a player who made the last out) caught it. He was in the coaches box.

I was the BU. PU called the batter out, interference.

I have looked but can't find a rule reference?

Thanks

First of all the coaches box should be 8 feet from the line if the field has room to do that. I would have to ask if anyone had a chance to make a play on the ball, and if so interference,if not no. Rule reference 8-7-0 would seem to say it would be interference but if no one had a chance to make a play on the ball I would let it go.

[Edited by Ed Maeder on Jun 6th, 2004 at 08:14 PM]

I will agree with Ed. There has to be a play to be interferred with.

From the desription, it sounds unlikely that any defensive player has a play on a line drive down the third baseline.

But, as with almost all intererence related calls, it HTBT!

I'm with Ed. If there was no play to be made by the defense, it should simply be a foul ball.

If there were no runners on, there is no call. 8-7-O refers to the runner closest to home being ruled out. This could also apply to a BR. However, since the batter did not hit a FAIR ball, he is not a BR, so cannot be called out by that rule.

7-6-I would probably be more appropriate, but that requires the defense to have a play which supports Ed's and my call.