Offensive Interference that doesn't affect the play situation

[Blind Brad]

Good morning.

I coach a "beer-league" in Korea for foreigners and they all think the scouts were wrong in not drafting them. I hope you see the level I have to deal with.

Well, one smarter player asked me a question and I can't find a specific passage in the MLB book. I only have the one from MLB.com which I think would be the definitive source.

Situation is as follows.

Runner on first, before two are out.

Pitcher makes a legal pick-off attempt to first. R1 is safe.

F1 throws the ball back to the pitcher who misses it.

R1 breaks for 2nd.

F3 is NOT paying attention and does not react to the ball passing him.

3rd base coach, ALSO not paying attention, picks up the ball.

R1 is better than halfway to second when the coach commits interference.

What is the call?

According to the book, as I read it, interference intentional or otherwise is a punishable offense. However in this situation, the coach by stopping the ball is in essence HELPING the defence and seeing as there is no play being made, one perhaps could argue that R1 becomes R2 and the play stands.

Thoughts anyone? Please cite exact rules so I can read it for myself.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Bradley

[Mr Umpire]

Well, the rule to cite would be 7.11 Interference by an offensive teammate. However, the rule says "a play" which is defined by MLBUM as a legitimate chance to retire a runner. Since there was no play, there was no INT which should result in an out. It sounds like the correct call is to call "Time" and put the runner where you deem he would have gotten. If there is any doubt, put him back at 1B. Then, tell the coach not to do that again. If there is the slightest chance of a play at 2B, call the runner out. All of this is your judgment but give the defense any doubt on the play b/c the offense messed up. And, get ready b/c someone may be going home early on a play like this.

[mazzamouth]

BTW the following is for the positing players..LOL

Pitcher F1

Catcher F2

1st baseman F3

2nd baseman F4

3rd baseman F5

SS F6

LF F7

CF F8

RF F9

hope this helps.:kissass:

[JaxRolo]

BTW the following is for the positing players..LOL

Pitcher F1

Catcher F2

1st baseman F3

2nd baseman F4

3rd baseman F5

SS F6

LF F7

CF F8

RF F9

hope this helps.

I learn something new everyday! :)

[yawetag]

Put him back on 1B. Yes, he might have reached 2B without a play, but penalize the 3BC for doing something stupid.

[NCAAump2]

I say put him at 2nd. Had the coach not picked up the ball and the defense wasn't paying attention, he would have made it there anyway.

[Mr Umpire]

Put him back on 1B. Yes, he might have reached 2B without a play, but penalize the 3BC for doing something stupid.

I say put him at 2nd. Had the coach not picked up the ball and the defense wasn't paying attention, he would have made it there anyway.

Either way may be valid. But, neither is for certain since this is a HTBT situation. There is no way to truly answer the OP other than to provide all the possible solutions to it and let the poster decide how it should have happened.

[UmpTTS43]

Since you have offensive INT, get an out if you can otherwise place runners to last legally aquired base. Although not always true but a good rule of thumb is that no runners can advance on offensive INT.

[JaxRolo]

Call time. Runer back to first. Play on.