Interference - Am I missing something?? (Poll)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Last night, a couple of my fellow umps from our org and I were chatting about interference. Here's one such play that was discussed...

R1 on 1st, no outs. B2 hits the ball to F5, who throws it to F6 on 2nd base. F6 tags 2nd base for force out and positions to throw to F3 at 1st. R1 hookslides into 2nd, his legs coming towards F6's legs. F6 changes his stance to avoid R1, and throws to F3, but the BR beats it in a bang-bang play.

My call would be that R1 hindered F6's ability to make the play, and as such, this is a dead ball, BR2 is also out due to the interference. My fellow umps say that because R1 was "still within reach" of 2nd base, this is not interference.

I say my fellow umps need a few more clinics. I'm actually embarassed to post this question, but they insisted they were right. They even told me, "go post it on that forum and see what they say!" So here it is. Interference or not?

Speaking ASA

Bad news, bubba. Your partners are correct.

The runner was doing nothing wrong, but sliding toward the base to which he was advancing. As long as it was a slide and within reach of the base, there is no violation. Only way you get INT on this is if the runner tries to kick or whip F6 and that is not indicated in the post. "Take out" slides are not illegal.