No "Intent" in interference

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I believe "intent" to be an escape for an Umpire.. not something holding me back. They removed our escape valve for an INT.

Its much easier to claim "I didnt believe there was Intent" than it is to claim "I dont believe there was interference".

It was a decent clinic though and one things for sure.. cant wait for it all to start up again.

You see it as an "escape". I see it as a guideline.

The biggest difference will be when the runner is doing exactly what they are supposed to do (i.e., advance toward 2B from 1st on a ground ball) and get hit with a thrown ball. Old rule told the umpire there must be intent and even then, you had umpires that insisted the runner not going "POOF" into thin air was intentional. Now you will have coaches DEMANDING calls because the rule no longer gives the umpire guidance and the umpire will cave in a heartbeat.

Remember, we are not talking about the 2-3% that do NC/NT, but 38K umpires around the country.