INT or no call?

[DTQ_Blue]

Here is a play I have rehashed a few times since it happened a couple of nights ago. I’m BU. Runner at first, F4 playing deep and I’m in B right off her shoulder. Ball is hit directly at her but slow enough that to make a play at 1B she has to charge the ball hard and field it inside the runner’s path. Considering that she was in a deep F4 position, she needed to cover about 6 or 7 strides to make this play.

Only problem was that R1 had to cross directly in her path to the ball. F4 read the speed of the ball off the bat and recognized instantly that she had to charge it (good instincts). She started her charge and took about 2 strides, and then slowed her charge to allow R1 to pass. Because she slowed her charge, R1 and F4 never were close to colliding.

After R1 passes, F4 resumes full speed charge, picks up the ball, and sees that she has to throw immediately to F3 to get BR out. F4 has a momentary delay in getting it out of her glove, probably due to having to rush, allowing BR to just beat the throw to first. Were it not for the slowing of F4’s charge, F4 probably picks up the ball with enough time to make the play to F3 w/o undue pressure to rush the throw. I know, lots of probably’s.

I did not call INT. While I presume that had F4 continued to charge the ball, there would have likely been a clear basis for interference (possibly a collision), because F4 chose to yield well before a collision would have occurred, I would have had to base an INT call on a presumption on what probably would have happened.

I’m new enough at this that I’d appreciate comments.

I’ve commented on this before, as this is the first year I’m getting a lot of BU work in my HS games. Those girls are big and fast and in the small area of the 60’ field, they can get in each other’s way very easily.

Mike

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by DTQ_Blue

She started her charge and took about 2 strides, and then slowed her charge to allow R1 to pass.
Were it not for the slowing of F4’s charge, F4 probably picks up the ball with enough time to make the play to F3 w/o undue pressure to rush the throw.

I think you answered your own question in these two statements. I am assuming this was NFHS (based on another statement you made). NFHS, as far as I can remember does not require contact for INT. I believe, based on the way you worded the play, you had INT.

IMO, Coaches should coach their girls not to slow down and if there's contact there is no doubt, but that's another story.

However, lots of INT and/or OBS, are HTBT plays. But you pretty much said the runner's actions interfered with the fielder's opportunity to make a play.

[SC Ump]

Mike,

This is really a "had to be there" situation, but as I'm visualizing it, F4 really CHOSE to slow up and did not even come close to R1, thus it would be hard for R1 to be ruled as interferring.

Unless your are 100% sure that the runner's actions interferred with the fielder, then I don't think you can call it.

You said yourself that, "there would have likely been a clear basis for interference (possibly a collision)". How do you know that R1 would not have changed her path or slowed up if F4 continued her charge?

I'm not implying that players involved in interfernce or obstruction have to go full speed into a collision before a call should be made, but as I'm seeing the play by your discription, I'm just not seeing interference.

[DTQ_Blue]

Dan,

Re: your statement "as I'm visualizing it, F4 really CHOSE to slow up and did not even come close to R1," this is exactly what happened on the play and why I felt like I didn't have enough to make the INT call. While I could say that if F4 and R1 had both kept going there would probably have been a collision, I can't say that R1 wouldn't have stopped or slowed down. F4 simply did not get close enough to R1, she slowed down several strides from R1, leaving me with possibilities to ponder, but not a basis for an INT call.

[Andy]

First of all....this is definitely a HTBT, umpire judgement call.

Based on the information you provided, here are some thoughts.

F4 had the right of way here because she was fielding a batted ball. R1 has to avoid F4. From your description, it sounds as though F4 chose to relinquish her right of way to R1. Had F4 stopped or checked up her charge to avoid an imminent (your judgement) collision, I believe the INT call would have been justified. This assumes that R1 is proceeding normally to second and did not do something purposefully (stutter step, for example) to place herself between F4 and the ball.

I would also consider the level of play for this situation. HS Varsity - I expect them to make the play even with the runner in close proximity. 10u or 12u could be a different story.

[kfo9494]

I've had this happen a few times. And I think I called it both ways at times.
It is a HTBT play.
Are they close? Are they far apart? Is the runner watching the ball? Is the runner watching the fielder? Did the runner see the fielder slow down? And from the umpires position could he tell that the runner veered or was running straight?
Gosh--So many questions
>
As long as an umpire makes a QUICK, GOOD judgement, he or she will have no problem selling either call to a coach.
If you let the play continue and then make a call or ask for help- then a storm cloud is amassing.