When is the ball past the fielder?

[Tru_in_Blu]

Here's one I've not seen before. I was watching this game awaiting next game. Women's slow pitch, runners on first and third, one out. Infielders playing deep.

Batter hits a line drive that hits the third base bag on the fly. When the ball was hit, the runner moved inside the diamond to avoid being hit and took a step or two toward home. The bases on this field are the rubber type that set in recessed recepticle in the ground. The ball caromed off the base and reversed direction and hit the runner off third base. When the runner was contacted with the ball, she was in fair territory.

The call was an out for interference. Batter was awarded first base and the runner who was at first moved up to second.

I agreed with the call and after the game discussed it with both umps. We brought up if the call would have been different if the runner had been in foul territory after the richochet. I'm thinking it wouldn't have mattered because one the ball hit the base it was a fair ball no matter what direction it bounced.

Probably won't see that play again. Anyone have a different call than what was made?

[BretMan]

Agree with the interference call. Kind of a bad break for the runner, but the game is full of plays that hinge on unlucky bounces.

If the runner had been hit by this fair batted ball while she was over foul territory, she may not have been out. She would only be out if the contact with the ball prevented an out from being made. (ASA 8-8-E)