Trainwreck

[Umpire in Chief]

Sit: <2 outs, R2

Batter hits a ground ball back to F1. F1 makes a hurried, errant throw to F5. In attempting to catch the ball F5 dives to his left and collides with R2 who is still upright coming in to 3rd as the ball comes to a rest against the fence and the play comes to a halt on its own. My call, I've got nothing. The 3rd base coach throws a fit calling for INT (yes, he is asking for INT), the defensive coach comes running out also asking for INT. I have 2 opposing coached asking for INT. I try to explain my no call saying, "I've got 2 players both doing what their supposed to be doing and the contact wasn't illegal by either person."

The defensive coach is exclaiming his guy couldn't make the catch because R2 hit him.

I reply, Your guy didn't make the catch because of the bad throw.

Then he starts with the runner has to yield to the fielder.

I explain that in this situation, he didn't have the opportunity.

The offensive coach continues to ask for INT and for me to award his guy home.

I didn't try to correct him but explain the fielder has a right to make a play on the ball.

So now I have 2 coaches both giving me heck.

[LMSANS]

HTBT but it sounds like a train wreck.

[mepperson]

Definitely a train wreck. There are a couple of ways of handling this:

To the defensive coach -

In this particular situation, the runner has to make an effort to interfere, and has to have intention. As you judged there was no intent, then there is no interference; it's the same as if the throw had hit the runner instead of the runner and F5 colliding.

To the offensive coach -

Explain to him that, if you grant his wish for Interference, then he's going to make the other coach extremely happy. When he looks at you confused, explain that, if you award Interference, his runner is out. Let him go look up the correct term on his own after the inning or after the game.

Granted I'm a bit of a S.A. at times; but, the latter - telling an offensive coach that I'll be happy to grant his desire for an Interference call if he wants his runner Out so bad - seems to quiet base coaches regularly. Mostly it's their confusion that causes the quiet; but, at least they're quiet... They usually forget why they wanted the Obstruction in the first place.

[littleleagueump]

If there is anything there is obstruction, but this is realy just a like all you have said, a train wreck. Good no call. It is just opps contact.

[semperfiguy]

Fortunatley that why coaches and umpires have very specific roles. It appears to be just that, incidental contact. Both players have a right to make a play. the fielder to attempt a catch, and the runner has the right to the lane. obstruction would be the call if you saw it that way. But some coaches dont even know the rules. you might want to remind the offensive coach, be careful what you wish for you just might get it!! Balls and strikes baby!!!