Interference (NFHS)

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

this is more of a rant than anything.....Why doesn't it work that way? Why is the requirement that the fielder "goes poof" if they drop they ball but the ball is still next to them or we have OBS? But the runner can do pretty much anything they want and not have to disappear? (rant over)

I would disagree in part with your 2nd sentence...if the fielder is attempting to execute a play (ie fielding a batted ball) the fielder can be there without the ball.

There are two distinct differences if the fielder is in the act of fielding a batted ball then they have the right to the space. Now irish's 2nd sentence described a fielder in the act of tagging a player and dropping the ball. That is a different story. If defense has ball they have right to be anywhere (within reason don't get crazy proving me wrong) if they are fielding a batted ball they have the right to do that, within normal means(can't draw INT) but other than that they have to be out of the runners way. Why? Cause the powers that be wrote the rule that way!

I think of Irish's sentence as runner sliding into 3rd fielder there with ball to make tag blocking bag, legal slide dislodges the ball and runner can't get to base, as fielder is reaching for ball. By rule once fielder loses ball you have OBS on them. Is it fair? Don't know, don't care its the rules!! Someone has to have the right of way for lack of a better term....defense has that to field a batted ball, or once they are in possession of the ball, other than that offense has the right of way. Seems like a sharing thing to me maybe not fairly but both have their times to have the right of way to make their plays.

That being said I agree with you in that the offense is just a liable to have INT called on them IF the conditions are correct cause they didn't go "poof"! Like the OP if they take off on the pitch and cause INT with the SS IMJ it doesnt matter if they meant to, if they are guilty of INT call it!!