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Interference Question
I'm a coach, not an umpire - please continue reading anyway! :)
R1 on first base, one out, B1 hits a high chopper to F4, F4 fields ball (has ball in glove) and R1 collides with F4 in the baseline. BU calls obstruction, R1 out for obstructing F4. Because F4 was run over, she was unable to complete a throw to first base to get that out (and turn a double play). My question is this - Is this obstruction, or merely a collision that resulted in an out because of a tag (like you would get with a collision on a play at the plate)? Either way, R1 is out, but I'm just looking for clarification. Because we got an out (I was DC), I was obviously happy, but the other coaches and I were talking about it after the end of the game wondering if it was obstruction or just a tag out. Thoughts? Thanks for your time. Mike |
I think you mean interference, Mike.
It certainly could be interference as described. You could get the second out if the umpire judged the interference to prohibit the double play. Hard to say going by the information given. |
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Mike[/QUOTE] Another Mike on the board? Uh oh... |
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First (and it is a good thing to use the correct terminology when talking about these things), the "offense" commited by the runner would be interference. The offense "interferes", the defense "obstructs". As described, and (depending on which rule book you were using) your call could have gone a few different ways. Now as to your play, the umpire called "interference" on R1 (rather than out on the tag) we still have to figure out what the interference was. Could be interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball - in which case we would have R1 out and BR on firstbase, unless........ (in most books) umpire ruled it intentional for the purposes of preventing a double play in which case you could get your second out. there are a few other possibilities, but those are the most obvious. (Looks like I'm the slowest typer of the bunch)!!! |
Thanks!
Thank you for your answers. Yes, I did mean "interference" (as is obvious, I'm a coach, but should still have known the difference by now!) I figured it was interference, but I wasn't sure if we could have gotten the second out based on what happened. The runner did not interfere intentionally - she accidentally ran into our F4.
I've been a lurker for a while, but I'm always looking to get better at what I do by observing what you guys do and talk about on this forum. I truly appreciate the clarification. Based on these responses, I'll be back! Thanks again. Mike |
Just curious --- was there ever a tag during this accidental collision?
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mbcrowder
Yes. The F4 had the ball in her glove, turned to tag runner, and runner collided with her, but not intentionally. It was during a District Final game, so I have a video clip of it, I just don't know how to load it onto the Internet, or you could all see more clearly what happened.
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So all this happened on a tag attempt!! That adds a whole different dimension. I'm having a much harder time picturing interference now! Let's see if you get Hi tech enough to show the video! |
Unless there was some serious attempt to prevent further play by that runner, you merely have an out. Inadvertent contact during a tag (um, isn't there, by definition, always contact on a tag?) is not interference.
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The timing is important here. If the crash happened after the fielder received the ball and turned to make a play, the ball is dead, the runner declared out and all runners returned to last base touched at the time of the INT. Intentions are irrelevant (8.7.Q). |
Video of Interference
I think I figured out how to post the video of the call in question:
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I have a straight interference on this play...dead ball, runner out, BR on first.
It looks to me as if the collision happened just after the fielder got the ball. The fielder did not have time to try to tag the runner, then throw to first for the DP. I would have an interference with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. |
I agree on Int and double play ... but not with your reasoning. If the fielder HAD the ball, as you say you believe she did, when contact was made, you don't have interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball.
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Big Slick
It was a game in PA under NFHS rules. We didn't call an interpreter because it didn't affect the outcome of the game and we were satisfied with the original call. This was just talk we had after the game wondering if anything else could be called.
Are you a rules interpreter? If so, what call would you make? Thanks! Mike |
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I think you should run this by the rules interpreter in your district. I have heard he enjoys rule discussions (especially if there are refreshing, frosty adult beverages). |
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We always see things more clearly with those refreshing, frosty adult beverages. |
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Slick, I didn't recognize the field, so I don't know who that interpreter is just yet. Now you didn't say that we see more clearly in those discusion while having a cold one - I did. There's an awful lot of talking during those discussions, so I usually need one or two or more. "Wasn't this the same guy that provided you with post game refreshment (at least that's what I heard)?" Could be - there have been a few who kindly shared. And it's always much appreciated. |
After watching the video, the fielder apparently has the ball before the contact. The runner is therefore tagged out with the fielder knocked down in the process.
I don't see the "runner has to go poof" theory, so unless the runner was judged to do something intentional or malicious, no call but the runner out. Q: Is she a retired runner as the knock down came after the tag? |
Big Slick!
If you're who I think you are, then 1. You're my favorite rules interpeter, and 2. I DO know that you like a cold, frosty one (while discussing rules, of course!). How was the DII world series?
Mike |
I have a double play on this one. R1 has the option to stop, go in front or behind 2b player. Not through her. R1 brought her arms up into her chest which tells me she knew there was going to be a collision.
The BR was only six steps out of the box when the collision took place. It looks to me like there was lots of time to turn the double. I am not going to penalize the defense (only take one out) when the offense is clearly at fault. Paul |
Based solely on the video, I have a catch and tag out.
I see no interference unless there was another runner out there that the SS could have retired had the runner not crashed into her. |
The runner had plenty of time to go "poof"... i.e. avoid the fielder, since the runner was 5 running stride steps from the fielder as she was moving to catch the popup. She chose to plough into the fielder rather than run behind her.
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Don't watch the ball, just run to the base, Don't look at the runner, just throw the BR out at 1st, etc. |
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(Tangentially, I wish there were more of these posted to look at) ________ Avandia Lawsuit |
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You are correct. DII was really great. We had good weather, a wonderful complex, a great crew and 13 really well played games. Wonderful experience all the way around. |
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North Georgia was the big story, coming in at 50-0 and then leaving at 1-2. |
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Runner out on the tag, BR out on the interference. |
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With this new information, I have an out on the tag. Cannot tell if there was the possibility of a play on another runner, but apparently the umpires did not think so. |
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