Interference or Obstruction on the 3rd Out

[dan_renninger]

Here's one that happened to me a couple of days ago...

HS Softball game using Fed rules. Two outs, R1 is on 2nd base. I am in the "C" slot. The batter hits a shot down the 3rd base line. The shortstop is in motion on contact and stops in the base path between 2nd and 3rd base. R1, coming off 2nd as the ball is contacted, hits the Shortstop and they both hit the dirt. While the collision occured the hit ball was fielded by the 3rd baseman who made the throw to 1st for the out. When all of the contact occured I brought my arm up for the delayed dead ball call, moved to the middle of the diamond to make the call at 1st, dropped my arm, made the out call, and then ignored the collision. No one complained, no coaches protested, so I left it alone got ready for the next inning.

Now I know that everything worked out, but was that the right call, (making no call), to make in that situation. Any rule references that you might have would be greatly appreciated.

[Roger Greene]

Sounds like the correct call to me. You protected the runner to the base she would have reached, probably 3rd on a ground ball fielded in the infield. The 3rd out on the BR at 1st base made it a moot point.

Roger Greene,
Member UT

[whiskers_ump]

Cannot think of any rule that would allow a "DO
OVER" since the third out was recorded at first
by BR and you had protected R1 to base you felt she
would have achieved, probably 3rd as stated by Mr.
Greene.

[Steve M]

I agree with Roger and the old blue bearded little guy - yes, you had obstruction and acknowledged it and the fact that the third out was on the batter-runner at 1B essentilly made this a moot point.