R2. Line drive off F1, flying in the air toward F6. F6 charges to catch it and collides with R2 going to 3rd. Ruling? (FED and OBR) Same situation...ground ball off F1, rolling sharply at F6...collides with R2. Ruling? Is this still "initial attempt on a batted ball"? OBS or INT?
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Both plays are INT, assuming F6 is now the "protected fielder" and he "has a play" (as opposed to just chasing after a loose ball). Both seem likely in the plays described (and, as a practical matter, are true on similar plays that really happen).
Note that there's a difference between "contacting a fielder" and "contacting the ball" -- the runner is protected (except from intentional interference) in the latter case; not in the former.
What rule is that? FED Softball clearly defines "initial attempt". BB however, makes no distinction. 8-4-2 says "if ball is dropped, any subsequent attempt....fielder must yield to the runner". I know they're probably talking about a fielder misplaying and chasing his own error. But, nothing is said about deflection in FED Rulebook. Am I missing something? Same thing if deflected off F3?
You are correct that the FED rule on this is not very clear. The rule itself is talking about the SAME fielder misplaying the ball and then moving.
I would call the OP (pitcher deflects ball to F6 who has a play) the same way in all codes.
noumpere posted:You are correct that the FED rule on this is not very clear. The rule itself is talking about the SAME fielder misplaying the ball and then moving.
I would call the OP (pitcher deflects ball to F6 who has a play) the same way in all codes.
As would I until FED invariable puts out some interpretation to the contrary to be...well, contrarian.
I agree that 8-4-2-g is ambiguous when it says a runner is out if he "hinders a fielder on his initial attempt to field a batted ball" because it sounds like there might be a difference between the first attempt by any fielder and the first attempt by each of multiple fielders who might have a shot at it.
However, a later portion of this rule says that if two fielders try to field a batted ball and the runner contacts one of them, the umpire shall decide which fielder was entitled to field the ball and only that fielder is entitled to protection.
On this play, why would we not rule that F1 is the only protected fielder and call it obstruction? Presumably F1 made some sort of "attempt," even if it was just a late flinch. And it doesn't say anything about those two attempts being simultaneous.
Swampboy is right. Also, 8-4-2g goes on to say "any subsequent attempt...the fielder must yield to the runner". Subsequent attempt by whom? Same fielder? Any fielder? Lets say a hard grounder goes off F5 (who's playing in) deflects to F6, who charges and collides with R2 going to 3rd. Is it R2's fault? Really? I'm going to have hard time calling him out especially if he's forced to go and he's running on the grounder. What does NCAA say? OBR? I'm not familiar with these rules.
PVLBLUE posted:What does NCAA say? OBR? I'm not familiar with these rules.
In these codes, it's clear -- the protected fielder (and the protection can change as in this case with a deflected ball) has an absolute right to field the ball (as it applies to this thread -- don't take the statement too literally and try to apply it to other situations). So, in the OP and in the play just above, R2 is out.
So what you're saying is....No...there is no clearly defined rule on "initial attempt on a batted ball". This is completely a judgement call. To revert back to your earlier post....is it deflected right at him or is he chasing a loose ball? I'm quite surprised this doesn't come up more often. I was involved with 3 games this year alone in which a line shot deflected off the pitcher to another fielder. Granted no one was on base but.....this has to happen occasionally.