Runner Interference???

slowballbaker · #1 (**permalink**) Sun Apr 17, 2005, 05:33pm

You make the call??? Never heard it called this way before..

R1 is at 2nd base and B1 hits a groundball to the shortstop.
F6 comes up and catches the groundball just as R1 jumps over the ball and in front of F6 and continues to run to 3rd base....Then F6 throws to 1st base
and get B1 out in time....But the umpire yells "interference" and calls R1 out and says B1 is awarded 1st base....There was no contact between the F6 and R1, but the umpire said that R1 was "to close" to F6...

This happened twice and the same umpire made both calls...
Is this the correct call???
What are some acts that is considered impeding the fielder??? Thanks....

wadeintothem · #2 (**permalink**) Sun Apr 17, 2005, 08:16pm

ASA&FED - contact is not necessary - interferring with a fielder executing a play (confusing, hindering, etc) verbally or physically is interference - this call could be justified if the umpire judged that the actions of the runner caused the fielder to take the easy out at 1b instead of getting the lead runner.. but if the fielder fielded the ball cleanly and chose to go to 1b (often what is done anyway) - it could have then been a bad call (which would probably be due to a lack of understanding of the rule). "Getting to close" is not interference.. it could be; but isnt necessarily interference. This is a HTBT play IMO.. and even if we were there, is entirely the judgement of the ump making the call.

whiskers_ump · #3 (**permalink**) Sun Apr 17, 2005, 08:23pm

Quote:

Originally posted by wadeintothem
ASA&FED - contact is not necessary - interferring with a fielder executing a play (confusing, hindering, etc) verbally or physically is interference - this call could be justified if the umpire judged that the actions of the runner caused the fielder to take the easy out at 1b instead of getting the lead runner.. but if the fielder fielded the ball cleanly and chose to go to 1b (often what is done anyway) - it could have then been a bad call (which would probably be due to a lack of understanding of the rule). "Getting to close" is not interference.. it could be; but isnt necessarily interference. This is a HTBT play IMO.. and even if we were there, is entirely the judgement of the ump making the call.

I agree with Wade here. However, if I am going to make an interference
call, it will be immediately when it happens. Not after the fact which is the
way it sounds or reads from your posting.

Maybe the umpire was worried about ITB if he left R1 on 3rd. [J/K'g]