Batter runner/ 1st baseman contact

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

...Honestly, even if she pushed the fielder away from her intentionally while trying to beat her to the bag, she doesn't break any of the rules in the rulebook....

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Not saying I wouldn't try to figure out a way to get this out...

But compare this to a pitcher or catcher or fielding a ball and racing a runner to the plate. Runner, seeing the fielder about to collide with them, non-maliciously tries to push their way to the plate. This would not be interference... at least not a violation of any of the rules that are listed as an out in the interference rule. There's not even one of those rules that could be semantically stretched to get an out in a case like this.

[Little Jimmy]

I too could not find any interference rule that applies. And even though this play didn't actually materialize, there were quite a few times in this game where the expected didn't always happen.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not saying I wouldn't try to figure out a way to get this out...

But compare this to a pitcher or catcher or fielding a ball and racing a runner to the plate. Runner, seeing the fielder about to collide with them, non-maliciously tries to push their way to the plate. This would not be interference... at least not a violation of any of the rules that are listed as an out in the interference rule. There's not even one of those rules that could be semantically stretched to get an out in a case like this.

So, if a runner intentionally A-Rods the fielder's glove to knock the ball out of it on a tag attempt, you wouldn't call an out for interference because the interference rule doesn't list this as such? Couldn't you go back to the basic definition of Interference and state that the runner clearly hindered the fielder attempting to execute a play, which, in turn, is defined as an attempt to retire an offensive player?

I'm not suggesting that there was interference in the OP. But when a runner obviously shows intent to grab, push, trip, or slap at a defender who has possession of the ball and is heading toward that runner or the bag, I don't see how this could be construed as "just softball."

[MD Longhorn]

I've mentioned this before... but I'm not interested in arguing with you when you tell me what I would do in a situation and then argue with that. I didn't say the words you're putting into my mouth.

As to "runner clearly hindered the fielder attempting to execute a play" ... find me the rule that says that. "Execute a play" is not in the book in the "the BR is out..." or the "the runner is out..." sections.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

As to "runner clearly hindered the fielder attempting to execute a play" ... find me the rule that says that. "Execute a play" is not in the book in the "the BR is out..." or the "the runner is out..." sections.

No, it's not. But it is in the ASA Rule 1 Definition of Interference:

The act of an offensive player or team member, umpire or spectator that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play.

Similar language is in RS #33.

And that's what I would use if I saw a runner or batter-runner do something intentional to keep the fielder from attempting to tag him/her or the base he/she is going to.