This happened to me yesterday, will explain scenario as simply as possible. PLEASE HELP, this call was made by the head of the umpires in my region.
Runner on 3rd, 1 out. Batter swings at strike 3 in dirt, batter proceeds to run to 1st. C throws to 1B, throw gets away from 1st baseman, 1st baseman proceeds to pick up ball with barehand in foul territory and steps on first base, where ump calls batter out. 1st baseman then proceeds to chase runner and tag him forcefully knocking him to ground, at urging of 2nd baseman (between us, he wasn't out in the first place, but ump ruled he was). Runner at 3rd breaks for home amidst confusion and beats throw from 1st baseman. My understanding would have been that run scores, but this is the explanation I received.
1st baseman was called for interference on batter/runner who was already supposedly out at 1st base, this constituted a dead ball, and the runner at 3rd is not permitted to advance on a dead ball.
So there was no penalty whatsoever against defensive team for interference/obstruction. If anything, it kept runner at 3rd base. So should I instruct my guys to interfere with the runner after he is out to prevent advancement elsewhere? This seems ridiculous to me. Can you call obstruction/interference on the 1st baseman on a runner who is already out, and in turn hurt the offensive team by not allowing the runner to score from 3rd? Ump said he could have been out at home too, and this would have prevented that outcome (hence DEAD BALL), but makes no sense to me. Can't find it in rulebook anywhere, all rules apply to runners who aren't out yet! If scenario not clear, please ask me to explain, I need to get to the bottom of this, driving me nuts! Thanks in advance for any help, comments, or advice.
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