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Here’s situation I’m not really sure about that happened in a recent game. Popup in foul territory along the third base line, the third base man goes over to catch the ball and runs right into the third base coach. The coach was in the coaching box and as the play occurred seemed to be telling his runner at third to get ready for a possible tag up situation, about that time the third base man runs into him. My question is do you call interference the coach or just let it be? I guess he could have run toward the plate while the ball was in the air, but I have to admit the kid ran right into him and he was in the coach’s box. For the record the ball dropped about 6-8 feet behind where the collision occurred. I feel like this is one of those bizarre questions that would only apply to baseball, I mean in any other sport if a player runs into a coach they’re out of bounds and it makes no difference, except I suppose for a possible injury to the coach a la Joe Paterno last year.
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I believe the 3rd base coach has to make a legitimate attempt to avoid the contact. If it is unavoidable and a collision occurs it is not interference. The question in your scenario rests with the umpire judging whether the coach could have avoided the collision. I dont believe the coaching box affords any protection to the coach. He still has to prudently attempt to avoid the fielder no matter where he is physically located.

Also, while it might seem foolish to tag on a play so close to the infield, many smart coaches instruct their runners to automatically tag on all foul fly balls. Thinking is why not as perhaps the fielder could end up making a catching falling away from home and give opportunity to tag and advance. You lose nothing by doing it.
Last edited by SpikeIllinois
sounds like I am not making myself clear...i understand that if there is any perception that the coach is not doing all he can do and there is a collision it is interference..what i am trying to make clear (and i am not talking about the original post and it situation) is that if there is collision with the coach it is not automatically interference...i have seen on more than one occassion the coach try to read the path of the third baseman and vacate only to have the third basement misjudge a pop up and at the last minute change direction and run into to coach...that to me is not interference...the coach legitimately attempted to avoid a collision and was unable to

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