Interference on pop up foul

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

Just for the record.

The NFHS ruling is the runner is out (who interfered), all other runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference and the ball is a foul ball.

I have a problem with this rule in one regard.

What about this situation.

R1 on third, R2 on 1st 3-2 count. R1 is stealing on the release. Ball is popped up just to the foul side of the 3rd base. F5 is in position to make the catch and will have an easy throw back to 1st for the double play. R1 while returning to 3rd base from her leadoff bumps into F5 causing her to miss the catch.

In the following situation, the rule does not allow the batter to be called out, but she would have been out had the interference not occurred. At the same time, had the interference not occurred, R2 very likely would have been doubled off first base. In this instance we are benefitting the offense for the act of interference by allowing the foul ball rather than an out on the batter.

Ignoring the R2 part, an out of R1 is more of a penalty than an out of the batter.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Ignoring the R2 part, an out of R1 is more of a penalty than an out of the batter.

OK, lets look at a similar situation. R1 on 3rd, R2 on second, R3 on first, full count. 0 or 1 out. Runners are going on the pitch (not smart, but not unheard of). Pop up right near 3rd base, that could be caught, but not with reasonable effort. On the way back to third, R3 interferes with F5 who could have made a difficult catch. The ball would be fair. What is the ruling?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

OK, lets look at a similar situation. R1 on 3rd, R2 on second, R3 on first, full count. 0 or 1 out. Runners are going on the pitch (not smart, but not unheard of). Pop up right near 3rd base, that could be caught, but not with reasonable effort. On the way back to third, R3 interferes with F5 who could have made a difficult catch. The ball would be fair. What is the ruling?

Assuming your wording indicates the BR would not be ruled out and assuming that the ball is over fair territory at the time of the INT:

INT, R3 out, BR awarded 1B, runners forced to move up do.

[CecilOne]

I think you both mean R1.