Interference

I would have to disagree with the ump's ruling on this play.

For high school or college:
If the contact was made prior to the runner's feet (or any other part of his body) going beyond the bag then I have have no interference; providing the slide was legal in all other aspects. I would only call the interference if the runner contacted or altered the play of the fielder after going beyond the bag.

On a force play the fielder is protected to the right or left of the bag or beyond it. He isn't protected on or in front of it.

For the pros:
Forget it. Even though there are rules prohibiting a runner who has been put out from hindering or impeding a subsequent play, no ump at the pro level is ever going to make that interference call nor is any coach or player going to question it. Take-outs, at or around the bag, are simply an accepted part of the game for those guys.

I agree with Pilsner. Question of FED though,
you say the fielder is protected to either side, how strict is this enforced? Does this rule out the old hook slide, do both feet have to be confined to the bag width?

Pilsner

Thanks for a great explanation!

quote:

Originally posted by jjk:
I agree with Pilsner. Question of FED though,
you say the fielder is protected to either side, how strict is this enforced? Does this rule out the old hook slide, do both feet have to be confined to the bag width?

There's no specific rule about feet and bag width, so hook slides are OK if they conform to the FPSR in all other ways, ie, no int with fielder. I suppose that could be called not 'directly to the bag' but I wouldnt call it if there was no other violation.

Hook Slide is ok.
Pop-up slide is not.

Actually what the rule indicates is this:
If the runner slides directly to the bag and stays down and doesn't reach out at the fielder with his hands or arms he won't be guilty of any violation.

A hook slide (foot to the bag but the rest of the body wide of the bag) is ok if it's in a direction away from the fielder. If it's toward the fielder and contact occurs before, during or after the throw it's a violation. If no contact occurs but it causes the fielder to alter his play (e.g. jump over the runner while throwing or throw off balance or hesitate and not throw) it's a violation.
If no contact occurs and it doesn't alter the play of the fielder there is no violation.
Whether there is or isn't a violation is all based on umpire judgement of the play.

On a force play, any time the runner doesn't slide directly to the bag he runs the risk of being called for interference.