Interference at First

R1 runs into 1Bman attempting to catch a fair fly ball. If the fielder does not catch the ball, What happens? What if the 1Bman catches the ball anyway? I think I know the answer, just wanted see what some of you say.

This did not happen to me, I saw it in an assoc. email.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally posted by goldcoastump
R1 runs into 1Bman attempting to catch a fair fly ball. If the fielder does not catch the ball, What happens? What if the 1Bman catches the ball anyway? I think I know the answer, just wanted see what some of you say.

This did not happen to me, I saw it in an assoc. email.

The interference happened immediately on the contact. Ball
dead, R1 out.

[WestMichBlue]

Doesn't matter if the ball is caught or not caught. Play is dead at instant of interference. R1 out, B-R to 1st.

However, if you think that R1, knowing that she was going to be caught off 1B and out on appeal, deliberately interfered, then you can also call the B-R out.

But anytime you have to judge "intent" you better has an action that is very obvious or you will have a hard time selling that you can read a players mind.

WMB

[greymule]

In ASA, interference with a fielder attempting to catch a routine fly ball in the infield is a double play. Both runner and batter are out.

Interesting that in OBR, there are many criteria to apply in considering exactly how to call this play.

[pollywolly60]

That's what I was thinking, Greymule. If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the major differences between ASA NFHS - one out in High School, two in ASA.

[greymule]

Yes. As I remember, the second out is fairly new in ASA (past few years). Don't know whether USSSA or NSA have it.

Of course, every code I know of has a provision for interference with the obvious intent to break up a double play, whether ground ball or fly ball. ASA's second out on the fly ball does not require intent, however.

Some people have argued in these threads that they would not call interference on the following play:

Abel on 2B. Baker hits a pop that F5 camps under just inside the 3B bag. As the ball comes down, Abel slides directly into 3B and in doing so trips up F5.

I don't recall whether any consensus was reached on that play. I saw it once and did call interference, though F5 caught the ball anyway. I would call interference again, too.

[howlaround]

Originally posted by greymule
Yes. As I remember, the second out is fairly new in ASA (past few years). Don't know whether USSSA or NSA have it.

In USSSA, the second out is not automatic; the ump would have to rule intent to disrupt a potential double play.