BR Hinders Throw Home

[Manny A]

Had a lively discussion in a rules class last night regarding this FED case play:

8.2.5 SITUATION A: With the bases loaded, B4, who bats left-handed, hits a ground ball to F3, who is left-handed. The ball is just inside the foul line. F3 throws to F2, but hits B4, who is on her way to first base. B4 is in fair territory, but has not reached the 30-foot running lane. RULING: There is no violation, unless the batter-runner intentionally interfered with F3's throw.

I brought up the same scenario, but with a different twist: What would be the call if B4 was still in fair territory after reaching the running lane?

The applicable rules are as follows (paraphrasing except where necessary):

FED: 8-2-5 and ASA 8-2E: The BR is out when she runs outside the lane and interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base.

FED 8-2-6: The BR is out when she interferes with a fielder attempting to make an initial play, interferes with a fielder attempting to throw the ball, intentionally interferes with a thrown ball while out of the batter's box, etc.

ASA 8-2F: The BR is out when she interferes a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, a fielder attempting to throw the ball, a thrown ball while out of the batter's box, etc.

FED 8-2-7: The BR is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an obvious out at home plate.

ASA 8-2G: The BR is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an out at home plate.

There were two camps on this. One felt that the same ruling should apply as listed in the case play. The running lane doesn't come into play here since the throw was going to home, not to first. And there is no requirement for the BR to be in her lane except when the throw is going to first. The other camp felt that the BR is still required to move into the lane when running to first, and by not doing so, she may still be called for interference with the play at home under FED 8-2-7 and ASA 8-2G.

Your take?

[RKBUmp]

The running lane applies only to throws to 1st base and interfering with the defenses ability to catch the ball at 1st.

[Andy]

No interference for simply running to first base choosing any base path, unless she "does something" to interfere.

FED 8-2-7: The BR is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an obvious out at home plate.

ASA 8-2G: The BR is out when she interferes with a play at home plate in an attempt to prevent an out at home plate.

Neither of these would apply since she is not interfering with anything at the plate.

[shagpal]

manny, just to give you another twist, what if F3 steps on first base to retire the BR, and then BR contacts the thrown ball going home. what you got?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Running lane has no bearing on anything here.

The question is going to come down to "what did the BR do to interfere with the play"

I don't see anything offered to rule INT in any of the scenarios offered.

[MD Longhorn]

The running lane is irrelevant - the play is identical to the case play. No INT.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by shagpal

manny, just to give you another twist, what if F3 steps on first base to retire the BR, and then BR contacts the thrown ball going home. what you got?

No different than when R1 is heading for second on a ground ball, is retired on the front end of the double play, and F4/F6 pivots to throw to first and hits the retired R1 who is still somewhere between the two bases. Unless R1 did something to interfere, in the umpire's judgment, it is nothing.

So when you say "BR contacts the thrown ball", that implies she did something to interfere. If you had said "the thrown ball hits the BR", it would likely be nothing.