Interference

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by grounder

what would the proper mechanic be after calling interference seeing the ball drop on the other side of the fence with no possibility of a catch. one of those high pop ups that may or may not land on the opposite side of the fence but evenyually does?

So much of the stuff we note on paper/computer screen can be read and processed damn near instantaneously. However, real world umpiring doesn't happen that way. You see a play, your eyes tell your mind what you saw, the brain processes the image and instructs your mouth and other muscles how to act. It may seem like it happens as quickly, but it really doesn't.

We talk about plays like you are seeing, thinking, calling and signaling them all at the same time. Not only does it not happen instantaneously, but when it seems that it is that quick, it is quite possible the umpire anticipated the call. Don't know how many times I've heard or said in a clinic or school that an umpire doesn't get extra points for speed. Common advice to rookie umpires is to slow down. We teach them to anticipate plays, but never anticipate the call.

On the foul ball, you are just killing the play. I would think by the time you lowered your arms, you would have a pretty good idea of whether the fielder would have had the opportunity to make a play on it.

And remember (and before someone brings it up) if another player has the opportunity to make the play, it isn't INT on the player who was hindered, so then you don't kill the ball.