interference call in minnesota/wash game

[noumpere]

Even a forced runner is allowed to stay on the base and not be guilty of unintentional interference on a fly ball.

If the first post is correct, then the call was wrong.

[UmpTTS43]

There are only two states of a batted ball, fair and foul. There is no "limbo".

Runners run and fielders field bacause it's assumed fair until declared foul.

Respectfully disagree. It is a batted ball that is in play. Fair or foul determination comes when when it meets certain criteria. Assuming a ball is fair does not make it so. That's like saying a pitched ball is either a ball or a strike when it is released by the pitcher. It is neither until it meets certain criteria.

Bases loaded, less than two outs. A high fly ball is hit near third base line. F5 runs to catch it and collides with R3 who is standing on the bag and does not intentionally interfere with F5, but, in your judgement, the contact prevents F5 from making the catch. Ball lands untouched just foul. Using your logic R3 is out. This is simply not the case. It is just a foul ball.

Here is another example where a batted ball is simply that, a batted ball.

Batter bunts ball down first base line. F2 obstructs BR as he is leaving the box. The ball is rolling clearly fair until, at the last moment, it hits a rock, deflects foul and is touched by F2 in foul territory. The fair/foul status was not determined until it was touched by F2. In this OP, the BR is not awarded 1st. When the BR is obstructed prior to reaching first, he is only awarded first when the batted ball is a fair ball not caught in flight.

Edited August 23, 2010 by UmpTTS43

[Umpete]

I'm not sure I was watching the same game.

F3 tripped over the bag.

The ball was ruled fair.

R1 was ruled out on the force at 2B (4 - 6)

I never saw anyone ruled out for interference???

[th3]

he was called ouy for interference....they threw to 2nd but the call was, w/out question, interference....as a matter of fact the scorer called the hp ump over and asked that same question (was it a force our or interfernece (he actually said obstruction) and the HP ump absolutely said interference....while i am not 100% sure the ball was foul, i am pretty sure..but the point is, the call was interference...did anyone else see if the ball was fair or foul..i think we were watcvhing the same game

[BrianC14]

he was called ouy for interference....they threw to 2nd but the call was, w/out question, interference....as a matter of fact the scorer called the hp ump over and asked that same question (was it a force our or interfernece (he actually said obstruction) and the HP ump absolutely said interference....while i am not 100% sure the ball was foul, i am pretty sure..but the point is, the call was interference...did anyone else see if the ball was fair or foul..i think we were watcvhing the same game

Discussion on the ABUA forum says that the ball fell in fair.

[UmpTTS43]

Discussion on the ABUA forum says that the ball fell in fair.

Regardless, the call of INT in that situation was, is, and will always be ... wrong.

[Don]

Interesting discussion. I will admit to comment that runner who is in legal contact with base has not interferred if not intentional. Except this runner was forced and ball was ruled fair, so he was not in legal contact. So I don't know, you guys decide if it is legal for a forced runner to stay on the bag and trip a fielder.