R3 blocks thrown ball from F2-F5

[Canary]

Scenario:


2009 ASA
Runner on third attempts lead off after the pitch. The catcher sees an extended lead off and attempts a pick off. However, the 3R meandered back to third and made no effort to avoid the line play. The catcher made an attempt to throw the ball to F5. When the 3R saw F5's glove go up in front of her, and 3R's coach told her to look out, only then was she concerned about getting out of the way. The struck her on the helmet.

Was the runner out for interference of thrown ball?

RULE 1 - THE DEFINITIONS
INTERFERENCE: The act of an offensive player or team member, umpire or spectator
that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a
play. Contact is not necessary.

Section 6. A RUNNER MUST RETURN TO THEIR BASE.
C. When a batter, batter-runner or runner is called out for interference. All
other runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

RULE 8 - BATTER-RUNNER AND RUNNER
Section 7. THE RUNNER IS OUT.
J. When a runner interferes:
1. With a fielder attempting to field a batted fair ball or a foul fly ball, or
2. With a fielder attempting to throw the ball, or
3. With a thrown ball.
EFFECT: If this interference, in the umpire’s judgment is an attempt to prevent a double play and occurs before the runner is put out, the immediate trailing runner shall also be called out.
4. Intentionally with any defensive player having the opportunity to make an out with the deflected batted ball.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and the runner is out. All other runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference

Because of the potential interference called against a runner, you'll notice many runners on third base, including most of our players, will actually stand in the third-base foul territory with one foot touching the edge of the bag. A runner attempting to still home, and attempts to retreat back to third, cannot allow themselves to act as a block (intentionally or not) to the attempted pick off on third. We must be smart runners and not allow ourselves to become blocks to a play.

The situation during last Monday's game: A third base runner jumped out for a lead, and stayed on the base line (which anyone would normally do out of habit). The catcher saw enough of a lead and attempted to pick off the runner. However, the runner was directly in the line of play and unconsciously allowed herself to become a block to a thrown ball. (RULE 1-definitions, Interference). The runners position interfered with a thrown ball, and she was hit with the throw. (RULE 8, Section 7J, bullet 3). This was not an attempt for a double play therefore no other runner would be called out. On this occasion the third base runner is out, and all runners must go back to the base they occupied at the time of the interference.