Runner’s interference?

[GBR]

PLAY: Bases loaded. Ground ball to F5. R3 sprints for home. F5 throws to F2 for the force out at home. (see YouTube video I shot below)

From my perspective R3 intentionally interferes with the catcher by

leaning into the catcher’s back with his left shoulder and elbow.

Do you agree this rises to the level of runners interference or

unsportsmanlike conduct? If so, what would your penalty be, i.e. how

bad do you think this level of interference is; warning, bench,

ejection or other? If you disagree, what is the reason and what do you

see instead?

YouTube:

P.S. I can't seem to get the YouTube URL to work, any ideas why?

Roger

Edited July 8, 2010 by GBR
YouTube link isn't working

[noumpere]

I have nothing. Maybe a "talking to" at most.

[Umpire in Chief]

I didn't see anything worth an EJ or anything else, but maybe a quick and stern, "We're not having that out here tonight."

F2 didn't seem to be trying to make a play anywhere else either. Had he been "loading up" to go to 1st I would probably get the INT and the BR out too.

[Mr Umpire]

I don't do LL so I don't know how strict they may be.

But, I have nothing. It is too close to the runner's path to tell if he did something intentional. It looks like normal running. The last little bit appears to be an attempt to get back to the plate after going from it. F2 is just too close to the running path to determine anything more for me.

This doesn't even warrant a warning. Nothing malicious or even close to that.

I say nothing to be called on this play. No INT and no DP or EJ or warning. Just baseball and play on. Especially since F2 did not attempt to make a play anywhere.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Mr Umpire

[willv28]

I've got nothing too, I would definitely tell him we're not playing like that tonight. No need for it to get worse than that.

[Tyennie]

Agree with Mr. Umpire, looks like R3 is actually trying to move around f2 not into him. That's nothing play ball

[yawetag]

Agree with Mr. Umpire, looks like R3 is actually trying to move around f2 not into him. That's nothing play ball

+1. Think about a time in a crowded situation when someone walking the opposite direction bumped into your side. You probably instinctively moved your arm in the same manner.

To me, it wasn't hard enough to even seem purposeful.

[JaxRolo]

+1 Nothing there but a quiet warning. It didn't help matters that F2 was covering the whole plate.

Now had it been FED rules then there might have been something!

[catoblue]

I have nothing, R3 out on the force. R3 didn't load up on F2 and since F2 wasn't waiting to make a tag and only partially blocking the plate, the "slide or attempt to go around" rule doesn't apply. Looked like incidental contact.

[noumpere]

+1 Nothing there but a quiet warning. It didn't help matters that F2 was covering the whole plate.

Now had it been FED rules then there might have been something!

Why? I have the same thing in all codes.

[JaxRolo]

Why? I have the same thing in all codes.

Doesnt the rule apply that a runner must slide directly into the bag or give himself up on a force play with a potential DP? If he doesnt then you have 2 outs on the play.

Or does this only apply to a slide at second?

Now i'm not sure.

[Umpire in Chief]

I dont think that FPSR applies in this situation. I think of FPSR as a special INT and since I don't have INT. I've got nothing.

[mstaylor]

FPSR is in effect at all bases but I have nothing here at all. I will go back and look at video again but I believe the catcher was on the plate so FPSR isn't an issue. Here it would have to move to standard interference to which this isn't close.

[yawetag]

Doesnt the rule apply that a runner must slide directly into the bag or give himself up on a force play with a potential DP? If he doesnt then you have 2 outs on the play.

A runner is never required to slide in Fed. HOWEVER, if he does decide to slide, there are rules for sliding.

[noumpere]

Doesnt the rule apply that a runner must slide directly into the bag or give himself up on a force play with a potential DP? If he doesnt then you have 2 outs on the play.

Or does this only apply to a slide at second?

Now i'm not sure.

I wasn't thinking FPSR, that's why I asked the question.

And, the FPSR does apply at home, but it's not quite as you stated. If it is called, you are correct that it's two outs.

I don't see this as a FPSR violation, either.

[TNCoach]

I don't really see anything. The runner is running inside the line and kind of steps back toward the outside. He didn't throw an elbow or anything. There was just a bit of contact, but that was not really anything.

I saw a youtube video along the side of the page of this... This has to be one of the funnier baseball ones I have seen. Ump makes the right call but argues with fans.

[jnazz]

Bad timing! He loads up to call the catch and then goes Zooloo on the no catch call.

[TNCoach]

That is the part I find hilarious is his no catch call.