Runner in fair territory

[Kyle_Stevens]

Had a great game last night, a local small school rivalry. 0-0 until 7th inning, a lot of ground balls and strike outs.

In bottom of 6th had bases loaded. Ground ball to F5, F5 throws to F2 for out #1. F2 throws to the inside to F3, ball hits BR in the helmet then ricochets to shallow right. One run scores and BR advances to second.

After F2's throw hits BR, VC yelling BR was in fair territory and he wants the out. This is one situation that I haven't encountered before now. After action comes to a stop, I call time and go to my partner. I tell him that I was not sure of the rule and tell him that BR was running on the line with his left foot in fair territory. He tells me that if he was in fair territory then he is out, but it is my call.

I call BR, who is now on second, out and send runner on third to second, and bring the runner who scored back to third. OC wasn't happy about it and argued his case.

Like I said, I haven't had a situation like this and this is a ruling that I will always remember. It was a tough situation but I am happy the right call was made.

[InDaZone]

Hey Kyle,

I'm new here so I was just going through some old posts (they all new to me!)

I'll take a chance on making a fool of myself (I'm good at that ) and ask a couple of questions.

What kind of "case" did the OM try to make?

Evidently you were plate ump, is that why it was "your call"? - just wondering if the 1st base running lane Interference call isn't a shared one...(was the base ump in "C" - I don't know big diamond mechanics that good).

If I remember correctly from another discussion (on another board) there also is discretion on the part of the umpire as to the accuracy of the throw. IOW, if the ball is not going to be caught by F3 (and the ball then contacts BR), interference is NOT to be called. Am I right?

IDZone

[mstaylor]

This an example of two things. One is the running lane interference. On the line is in, inside the line is out of the lane. As InDaZone says, the quality of throw is part of it, except in HS, but if it hits the runner it is almost a given. The second thing it is example of is an intervening play on a RI. The addage is runs don't score on interference calls. There are a few exceptions and this is one. In this case the R3 was out but if he had scored, it would count, even on the RI.

[Umpire in Chief]

Thank's InDaZone for bringing this one back up, some how I missed this one when it was originally posted.

This an example of two things. One is the running lane interference. On the line is in, inside the line is out of the lane. As InDaZone says, the quality of throw is part of it, except in HS, but if it hits the runner it is almost a given. The second thing it is example of is an intervening play on a RI. The addage is runs don't score on interference calls. There are a few exceptions and this is one. In this case the R3 was out but if he had scored, it would count, even on the RI.

MST, so it is not a dead ball situation once the RI occurs?

So to change the OP to your exception:

Bases loaded no outs. Batter grazes a ball for a swinging bunt up 1BL, F2 fields the ball and fires to F3 but hits BR who is fair.

The correct ruling would be BR out R3 scores and I suppose all forced advance?

[UmpJM]

Warren,

I don't think so.

In your revised sitch, there is no "intervening play", so the BR would be out on the running lane interference, and any other runners would return to their TOP base.

In the sitch in the initial post, there IS an intervening play, so the out on the R3 at home would stand, other runners would be returned to their TOI bases.

The ball is still dead at the TOI, and I didn't read anything in Michael's reply that would suggest otherwise.

JM

[PeteBooth]

Thank's InDaZone for bringing this one back up, some how I missed this one when it was originally posted.

MST, so it is not a dead ball situation once the RI occurs?

So to change the OP to your exception:

Bases loaded no outs. Batter grazes a ball for a swinging bunt up 1BL, F2 fields the ball and fires to F3 but hits BR who is fair.

The correct ruling would be BR out R3 scores and I suppose all forced advance?

Warren I agree with JM.

In a nutshell when the rule-makers refer to "intervening play" they mean 2 plays.

here's an example:

R3: 1 out

OM puts on a squeeze play. Ball is fielded by F1 who throws / flips to F2 to try and get R3. R3 is safe (Play number 1 ) now F2 throws to F3 (Play number 2) to get the BR. The throw from F2 to F3 is a good quality throw but hits the BR who is out of the running lane.

The call is

1. TIME

2. BR out for running lane interference.

3. R3's run counts since we had an intervening play

Other runners return to TOI bases.

In your scenario there was no second (intervening) play.

Pete Booth

[Umpire in Chief]

Okay now I see. This makes it much more common sense. Where R3 in these cases has already scored before the RI occurred then the run stays. Similar to a timing play.

Thanks.

[mstaylor]

Okay now I see. This makes it much more common sense. Where R3 in these cases has already scored before the RI occurred then the run stays. Similar to a timing play.

Thanks.

Exactly Warren. It doesn't happen very often but I thought I would put it out there since the OP was close. In your play, the ball is dead and everyone goes back to bases TOP.

I umpired quite a few years before I was able to get any training and more before I really started studying the different rule sets.

Anybody care to try to make the other exceptions to interference. Part of the list is a delayed dead ball list, usually interference is ID, the other part is exceptions to runner scoring.

[MCLEOD36]

I think you nailed it. IE the intervening play, run scores in that situation, but no additional runs would...

[MCLEOD36]

Shoot sorry, hit return, in yours Warren, that was the play (not intervening) and no runs score... runners go back