HS Interference Play

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by Andy

Batter hits a ground ball toward F6, F6 starts to come in to play the ball, but stops to avoid a collision with R1 running in front of her. F6 steps around R1, fields the ball and throws to first in time to retire the B/R. I did not see any contact between R1 and F6, although they were very close to each other.

Devil's advocate:

How do you know that is why she stopped? Is it possible that she stopped because that is where she wanted to play the ball?

No contact, cleanly fielded the ball, threw the BR out at 1B. In what way was she interferred?

I don't see any problem with delaying the call slightly to see what happens, especially in a 50/50 play like you had.

I would not have had any issues with you letting it go.

[IRISHMAFIA]

12.19.1.4.2 Merely running in front of the fielder or jumping over the ball
while proceeding to the next base is not interference, even though it
may be distracting to the fielder or screen her view of the ball. The
base runner may not at any time unnecessarily wave her arms or

verbally distract the fielder.

For obvious reasons, I wouldn't play well in college ball.

I understand what the coaches prefer, but the rules do not require physical contact for INT. They do clearly note that contact is an example of runner interference, but as you can see in a subsequent example, it is not required.

[Tru_in_Blu]

For NFHS:

ART. 1 . . .Interference is an act (physical or verbal) by a member of the team at bat who illegally impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder; or when a runner creates malicious contact with any fielder with or without the ball, in or out of the baseline.

Does NFHS have any specific wording such as contact is not required [specifically], or are we left to interpret the impedes, hinders, or confuses part of this rule?

Thanx.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

For NFHS:

ART. 1 . . .Interference is an act (physical or verbal) by a member of the team at bat who illegally impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder; or when a runner creates malicious contact with any fielder with or without the ball, in or out of the baseline.

Does NFHS have any specific wording such as contact is not required [specifically], or are we left to interpret the impedes, hinders, or confuses part of this rule?

Thanx.

Verbal interference would have to be pretty loud to be considered contact!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

How do you know that is why she stopped?

Stops to avoid a collision. Who cares about why ... if she would not have stopped, would she have collided? If so, then she stopped to avoid a collision.

TO doesn't have to mean, "because she wanted to..."
TO can mean "in order to"

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Stops to avoid a collision. Who cares about why ... if she would not have stopped, would she have collided? If so, then she stopped to avoid a collision.

TO doesn't have to mean, "because she wanted to..."
TO can mean "in order to"

I think you missed my point. The assumption was that she stopped to avoid a collision. However it is possible that she merely stopped to field the ball and there would not have been a collision. Assuming what might happen is often different that what actually does happen. Hence my assertion that she was not interfered with - she made the play.

[IRISHMAFIA]

I had this a couple hours ago.

Bases loaded, bounding ball to SS who started to step up, stopped TO FIELD THE BALL, R2 runs in front leaping over the ball which kicked off the heel of her glove. I had to take a step to the left to get a view between the two. No contact with the ball, no contact with the fielder so I had no call.

Coach disagreed and told me it HAD to be INT. Told the coach what I saw. Apparently, she saw something different, so I asked if she would like me to check with my partner. He was even more adament that there was not contact than I.

Coach didn't like it and surprisingly didn't have a problem with our explanation, just disagreed with it.