ball deflected off F1
 

NFHS rules. Can someone explain the reasoning (if I understand it correctly) the reason that a hit ball that contacts the pitcher and then goes to a place where another fielder could make a play, but the fielder is interfered with, interference is called since this is considered making an initial play, but if the ball hits off the pitcher and then strikes a runner it is nothing unless it is intentional? What do other rule sets say as far as this goes? Dave

As I understand it, the logic is that runners have to know that they have to avoid interfering with fielders in the act of fielding a batted ball; and the fielders are big enough to see, know where they are, and react to avoid as necessary. The fact that a pitcher may have touched the ball shouldn't change that; runners have to know know they have to avoid the fielders.

But the deflected ball may often be moving too quickly to avoid it; it has changed direction, and may not be avoidable. In that case, the runner shouldn't be penalized. Unless the runner intends to interfere, in which case the rule allows that to be penalized.

And what happens when the fielder quickly changes direction following the ball which changed direction and steps into a runner or his/her path and initiate's contact? That only problem I have is there doesn't seem to be any relief for a runner in such an event.

And a ball hitting the runner deflected off any fielder is the same, not just the pitcher.

The post asks about the Federation rule. In Federation, as opposed to the entire rest of the softball world, does not require intentional interference on a batted ball that deflects off of the pitcher. NFHS 2-47-3a & CB 2-47-3-situation B.