Interference penalty

OBR 7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when...

(j) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball...

I'd have to be there to witness the timing and the action of the runner, but interference, while likely to be called, is not necessarily automatic in the play you describe.

A strict reading of 7.09j may leave the impression that the fielder's protection ends once he has fielded the ball. However, the MLBUM says(6.1):
Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. In addition, a fielder is also protected while in the act of making a play after having fielded a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Furthermore, a runner who is judged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether the hindrance was intentional or not.

As I read the OP, an interference call is warranted.

Can B/R also be called out? Yes, he can, if the interference was judged to be intentional with intent to break up the double play.

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
A strict reading of 7.09j may leave the impression that the fielder's protection ends once he has fielded the ball. However, the MLBUM says(6.1):
Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. In addition, a fielder is also protected while in the act of making a play after having fielded a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Furthermore, a runner who is judged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether the hindrance was intentional or not.

As I read the OP, an interference call is warranted.

Can B/R also be called out? Yes, he can, if the interference was judged to be intentional with intent to break up the double play.

I'm aware if the MLBUM interpretation, however, in practice, at least at the MiLB levels I've worked, timing is still a consideration, This is why I said an interferenece call is likely, but not automatic.

Regarding the MLBUM, which is basically an expansion of PBUC's Blue Book, and other sources that alter or add to rule book interepretations: I refer to them when absolutely needed to explain modern practice that seemingly goes contrary to rule, such as obstruction by a fielder with possession of the ball.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
A strict reading of 7.09j may leave the impression that the fielder's protection ends once he has fielded the ball. However, the MLBUM says(6.1):
Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. In addition, a fielder is also protected while in the act of making a play after having fielded a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Furthermore, a runner who is judged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether the hindrance was intentional or not.

As I read the OP, an interference call is warranted.

Can B/R also be called out? Yes, he can, if the interference was judged to be intentional with intent to break up the double play.

I'm aware if the MLBUM interpretation, however, in practice, at least at the MiLB levels I've worked, timing is still a consideration, This is why I said an interferenece call is likely, but not automatic.

How would timing be a consideration?

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
A strict reading of 7.09j may leave the impression that the fielder's protection ends once he has fielded the ball. However, the MLBUM says(6.1):
Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. In addition, a fielder is also protected while in the act of making a play after having fielded a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or it mpedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Furthermore, a runner who is judged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether the hindrance was intentional or not.

As I read the OP, an interference call is warranted.

Can B/R also be called out? Yes, he can, if the interference was judged to be intentional with intent to break up the double play.

I'm aware if the MLBUM interpretation, however, in practice, at least at the MiLB levels I've worked, timing is still a consideration, This is why I said an interferenece call is likely, but not automatic.

How would timing be a consideration?

When did the fielder throw? Immediately after fielding the batted ball? Or did he check runners and look around to decide where to throw? Did he attempt a play before the throw? How long did it take him to make the throw? I am not going to protect him forever.

Perhaps I shouldn't be pointing out practice and only consider written material. But I work with professional umpires form time to time during the summer and how they work and what they say rubs off on me.

Again, y'all, I said the interfernece call was likely. Perhaps I should have said very likely. I am only pointing out that it isn't automatic.

The 3b was unable to throw because of the collision - both players stumbled after hitting hard. The runner was actually out as the collision resulted in him being tagged. The umpires in the game as well, as our game the next day, had different opinions on whether a DP could be called. Thanks for your thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by HawksCoach:
The 3b was unable to throw because of the collision - both players stumbled after hitting hard. The runner was actually out as the collision resulted in him being tagged. The umpires in the game as well, as our game the next day, had different opinions on whether a DP could be called. Thanks for your thoughts.

Part of the confusion I seem to have caused is due, not doubt, to addressing such collisions in general and not the one you presented.

In the example you cite, there is no doubt interference should be called. However, under OBR taking a second out requires intent on the part of the runner. So, you will very likely get different responses from different people.