Originally Posted by Jimmer:
Originally Posted by Matt13:
Originally Posted by Jimmer:
Originally Posted by Matt13:
Originally Posted by Jimmer:
Situation: Runner on 1st, 1 out. Routine ground ball hit in hole between 1st and 2nd. 2nd baseman attempts to field it and does just as the runner arrives and makes contact. The contact includes a tag on the runner. Also, this contact was accidental by the runner but does slow the fielder from completing a double play by throwing the runner out at first base. The batter/runner beat the throw on a bang/bang play. Obviously the runner is out for interference (although he was tagged out anyway). Is the play dead and the batter awarded 1st base? Is it a judgment call, where umpire felt routine DP would have been completed if not for the interference. Remember, this is not a runner who illegally broke up a double play at the bag, but a runner accidently running into a fielder, knocking him down and slowing the throw to first. Any ideas?
Two things to get the right answer:
When was the contact initiated in relation to the tag attempt?
What ruleset?
MMM..let's see if I can answer...The runner never saw the ball and really didn't initiate contact. The 2nd baseman was moving in and to his left while the runner was just heading toward 2nd base. This was a High School Baseball game. Thanks!
Let me rephrase, then...was the fielder hindered before or as he was making the tag?
Thanks for your patience...the contact was at the exact same time as the fielder caught the ball and knocked him over
Excellent...then we have the fielder in the act of fielding. He has the right to field the ball unhindered by the offense. Intent is irrelevant; if a runner hinders him in any way, it is interference. Under FED, if a double play is possible, then we have the runner out and the batter-runner out.
