Interference?

[PaREF]

After a playoff match we were discussing a potential situation during a match. Similar to something that actually happened but not exactly.

A ball is attacked at the net and the defensive team touches the attack. The ball deflects toward the stands and a defensive player pursues the ball. The ball breaks the plane of the stands and, just as the player attempts to play the ball (while still contacting the floor) a fan reaches up and catches the ball, preventing the player from making a play on the ball.

Now, the ball has completely broken the plane. Does the fan's contact with the ball constitute interference and result in a replay? Or does the fact that the ball has completely broken the plane mean that the player has no "right" to the ball and the fan taking away the play results in a point for the attacking team?

This was at a high school match using NFHS rules.

[pavbref]

In my opinion, the fan interfered with play. The player is still in playable space --i.e. touching the floor of playable space, and the fan interfered with their ability to play the ball.

[SCalScoreKeeper]

Well we all know the rule for playing a ball over a non playable area (bleachers in this case) while maintaining contact with the floor.As long as there was a chance the ball could be legally played the defensive team is entitled to a replay.I agree with you on this one.

[chapmaja]

I agree with the others, replay. Depending on the level, the defense still had a very good chance of keeping the ball in play and as a result of the fan contacting the ball, the defensive team lost that opportunity.

This is one of the reasons we try keeping fans out of the front two rows of bleachers. The players still get the opportunity to make plays on balls close to the bleachers.