'Slapper' Batter/Runner interference question

[Paul L]

Starting with the 2007 season, ASA (unlike any other softball or baseball ruleset) deleted "intentionally" from the rules declaring out a batter-runner or a runner who interferes with a thrown ball. But the definition of interference still requires an act by the offensive player. For purposes of the interference-with-a-thrown-ball rule, "act" is interpreted to require that the runner do something unusual or not reasonably expected. The mere act of running the bases in the usually expected manner therefore cannot be an act of interference. The black-and-white rules are fleshed out, and made sensible, by their interpretation.

As an umpire, you must judge whether the player's action was sufficiently unusual to have impeded the defensive player. For example, a player who falls while running and then is hit by a thrown ball while getting up probably has interfered with a throw, even though that was not her intent.

There was an informative thread on this topic back in May called something like "R3 blocks thrown ball" which I would link if I knew how.

Any comments, I-Maf?