Interference

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not following.

Rule 5-1-1m says it's an immediate dead ball when a runner hinders a fielder trying to catch a foul fly. Immediate means, well, immediate.

When a runner runs into a protected fielder trying to field a fair fly ball, we don't hesitate slightly to make sure the fielder could have made that catch. Why should a foul ball be any different?

Don't get me wrong. I would prefer to hesitate. But that hesitation equates to a delayed dead ball, and the rule doesn't call for that here.

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Rule 5-1-1m says it's an immediate dead ball when a runner hinders a fielder trying to catch a foul fly. Immediate means, well, immediate.

When a runner runs into a protected fielder trying to field a fair fly ball, we don't hesitate slightly to make sure the fielder could have made that catch. Why should a foul ball be any different?

Don't get me wrong. I would prefer to hesitate. But that hesitation equates to a delayed dead ball, and the rule doesn't call for that here.

Hmm, seems like hesitation would be required if the foul fly ball was at or approaching DBT... which, if it was DBT, then no longer a foul ball, which would negate any interference, no ?

...unlike a fair ball situation which immediacy is more apparent.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Rule 5-1-1m says it's an immediate dead ball when a runner hinders a fielder trying to catch a foul fly. Immediate means, well, immediate.

The action occurs when it occurs. And if it was interference, then the ball was dead at that moment. Whether I say it or signal itimmediately or not.

If I can't tell whether the ball is playable or not, then I don't know if that runner interfered with the fielder's ability to catch it.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Rule 5-1-1m says it's an immediate dead ball when a runner hinders a fielder trying to catch a foul fly. Immediate means, well, immediate.

When a runner runs into a protected fielder trying to field a fair fly ball, we don't hesitate slightly to make sure the fielder could have made that catch. Why should a foul ball be any different?

Don't get me wrong. I would prefer to hesitate. But that hesitation equates to a delayed dead ball, and the rule doesn't call for that here.

Big difference between delayed dead ball and a hesitation. DDB means waiting for all playing action to end or at least until something requiring an immediate dead ball. We are talking about waiting long enough for the umpire to take in all the information before rendering a decision.

This is the same type of timing that you have to use when calling a catch/no catch of a fly ball or a force out at a base.. call it too fast and you have your arm in the air signalling OUT when the ball is on the ground.

This hesitation is usually barely noticeable but can be longer on some plays..how about where fielder makes tag with ball in glove on player sliding into her. I may wait longer to make sure fielder still has ball in her glove..

As to a fair fly ball I would submit that yes you still have to have a catchable ball to rule INT. If a runner runs into say an infielder who is running toward to outfield on a fly ball she will never ever reach it is not INT it is OBS.

No way should we end up with INT on a foul fly ball that lands out of play and could never have been an out.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Our first call is "DEAD BALL"; the second call can be a repeat of that one or two seconds later, officially for emphasis, unofficially to finish replaying in our head what we are about to rule. Unless we are talking major league pop up, this should be more than enough time to see 1) if the person interfered with is the person we are protecting as the most probable to have made the play, and 2) if the ball is/was catchable by that person. Remember, many foul flies are more easily caught by F4 over F3, and F6 over F5, and we aren't protecting the wrong one.

Even if you blew out the word "Interference" too early, if the ball lands in DBT (like on the other side of the fence!!), then this obviously misapplied RULE is correctable. Consider it something like calling an infield fly that then rolls foul, untouched, and you didn't also yell out "if fair". The judgment, though, really cannot be changed, so buy yourself the necessary time even while declaring the dead ball immediately.