Runner Interference

valhalla · #1 (**permalink**) Fri May 06, 2005, 01:21pm

High School FED rules
BR on 1st runs when ground ball is hit to 2nd base fielder.
Runner comes so close to fielder that she almost steps on glove and barely clears front of fielder - 1 or 2 inches from my point of view looking directly from 1st to 2nd (spectator). The runner and the ball arriving was nearly simultaneous. The ball went through.
Only one ump working behind plate ruled no contact, no interference! He also said runner has a right to baseline.
Isn't this a case that there can be interference without contact? If yes, would many umps be reluctant to make the interference call?
Thanks.

Does anyone know a good forum for scorekeeping?

mcrowder · #2 (**permalink**) Fri May 06, 2005, 01:34pm

This is extremely HTBT, as you had a completely different angle from your solo umpire.

However, if the umpire said "No contact, no interference", he's wrong. If he said, "Runner has the right to the basepath", he's also wrong. Fielder has the first right to field the ball unhindered by the runner. Sounds like you guys need to be paying more for umpires (1 - to have 2 per game, and 2 - to get some who can afford a rulebook).

NSABlue · #3 (**permalink**) Fri May 06, 2005, 01:40pm

There does not have to be contact for interference to be called. If the runner caused the fielder to flich, change her path to the ball etc, I have interference, dead ball and put the b/r at 1st base. Of course if interference were called, the b/r could also be ruled out if in the judgement of the umpire the play was done in an attempt to break up a double play. As always, it's a HTBT play.