Runner on 1B, Ground ball hit to F4, R1 just beats the ball on his way to second base, F4 loses sight of the ball for an instant when R1 goes by. Second baseman is two steps from the base path behind R1, No contact was made byR1 with the ball or the fielder. Ball gets by F4 as he lost sight of it as R1 went by, Do you have a case for interference? R1 made no obvious attempt to time his run so as to intentionally hinder the fielder, But my understanding is that interference need not be intentional.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
JWC - Sounds like play on but the rule is:
OBR 7.08 b - (Any runner is out when- ) he intentionally interferes with a thrown ball or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball.
Comment; A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not. ETC...
BTW - If it is judged he did it intentionally to avoid a double play you can get 2 outs on the play.
Thanks! I appreciate the reply.
Thanks! I appreciate the reply.
(Copying my answer from the General Forum):
If R1 was running normally, and if R1's path didn't cause F4 to "pull up", then it's legal.
(And sometimes it's hard to tell if R1 caused F4 to pull up, or if F4 just chose to stop charging the ball. the higher you go, the more you're going to expect F4 to "play normally" and force the interference call -- if it's there)
Great input, thank you very much.