Interference Mess

[SC Ump]

I see this as getting down to whose call was it. A 3-foot lane violation is the PU's call. The remainder of the play at first is the BU's call.

Some organizations state, and many umpire's feel, that with the 3-foot lane the ball must be thrown from the home plate area or the catcher. Fed does not state this.

However, I still do not believe this was a violation of the 3-foot lane. Being out of the three foot lane is required on the last step, since the bag is in fair territory. Also, in my understanding of your description, the contact was made prior to the ball getting there.

Now, as to the question of whether the runner intentionally bowled F3 over, or malaciously contacted her, that is a different question. I believe that if the BU had asked your opinion on either of these questions, that you should have given it.