ASA - No runs will score if....
 

ASA rules. R1 on 3rd, R2 on first. One out.

Illegal pitch is called. On the pitch, B3 hits a ground ball toward F4, when the ball hits R2 on their way to second base. All fielders were behind the runner.

What's the call here?



My take, and I am sure I've something wrong. Dead ball, R2 out for interference, B3 is awarded first base and R1 returns to 3rd. Now the coach of the offense is given the choice of taking this result, or giving a ball to the batter and R1 scores. R2 is still out.

This really stems from a test question that I had asked about last year.

"No runs can ever score after interference on a runner is declared."

I said true, but was marked wrong. So I'm trying to justify any situation where a run DOES score AFTER interference on a RUNNER has been declared. The above situation is all I can think of, but I don't know if the ruling I wrote about is even correct.

Can someone clarify? Thanks.

Well I'll give it a try.

On the IP, we have a delayed DB.

Batter hits the ball, which hits the runner. This results in an immediate DB. Runner is out, runner at third is returned, batter awarded first base.

Since not every runner advanced 1 base and the batter reached first, the coach now has the option of taking the result of the play, or enforcing the penalty for the IP.

Penalty for IP is a ball to the batter, and all runners advanced 1 base.

This would likely be his/her choice in this case.

The fact that the runner was hit by the batted ball is now moot because we've enforced the IP penalty.

Of course, you are referring to FP since in SP the IP is negated the moment the batter swings at the pitch.

Yes, of course. From the OP, this was my clue:
coach of the offense is given the choice

Yes, this is fastpitch.

So do you put the batter back up to bat and add a ball to the count and advance the runners - if the coach decides he wants that option?

Is that an option?

Is the R2 out?

Can any runs score AFTER interference on a runner has been declared?

If the run scored before the interference

But what about AFTER? NY state softball organization I umpire for gives us a test every year and one of the questions last year said AFTER - and they said it can happen. I can't figure out when. Except for the case I wrote about above. So my questions really are:

Can a run score AFTER interference on a runner is declared? If so, how?

What is the correct ruling in the above play?

You have been given the correct ruling on the original play. The offensive coach has the option of the result of the play or to negate the entire play and receive the penalty for the illegal pitch. In "negate the play", that means the interference never happened.

Any coach, even the purest idiots, would take the IP penalty in this case; R1 scores, R2 to 3rd, B4 (has to be 4, because you had an out, right!!) returns to bat with a ball added to the count. Because the result of the play scores no runs and adds an out!!

R1 scores, R2 to 3rd, B4 (has to be 4, because you had an out, right!!)

If in the 1st inning. What if it was the 6th inning and B9 led off by making an out?

I can't think of anything. Anybody?
________
Colorado Dispensary

Interference always trumps obstruction, right?

What if 2 different players are involved?

R1 on 2B and batter hits safely to RF. R1 obstructed between 3B & home, would have scored easily, but headed back to 3B.

Meantime, throw from F9 to F4 who is bumped by BR as she's making a throw to F2. Interference, DB, BR declared out.

Does R1 get to score? Number of outs matter?

That was part of his take, not the scenario. AFAIC, his "take" could have been wrong, especially since it was a question.

For that matter, there are many umpires who will not even give a coach the chance to screw it up and just enforce the IP unless asked otherwise.

In the approved nomenclature for writing a case play, B9 is the 9th batter in the current inning; it has nothing to do with the lineup. In the 6th, B1 leads off; just like B1 leads off in every inning.

Well, I've learned something again. Thanx.

Along the IP lines
 

What is the correct way to handle this?

R1 (on 1b-I hate having to clarify this). BU calls an IP and batter gets a strike. Time is called. HC is in the 3rd base coaches box. Do you wait for BU to come all the way from B to talk to the coach, or do you go to HC as PU and just tell him/her there was an IP, what do you want? Just curious from a game(time) management/don't want to step on partner's toes angle.

What is there to talk about?
IP -
After the Strike, if PU hasn't seen your indication, call time, signal and say Illegal pitch and send runner to 2nd.
:)

Suffolk Board of Softball Officials Association - (Brightwaters, NY) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

look under "2010 test most missed". It is question number 36.