Coaches Interference

[JaxRolo]

This happened last night in a 12U game.

R1 and R3. Pick off attempt at first. Balls gets by the fielder. Ball didn't go to far so F3 picks it up and attempts to throw R3 out at home. Ball sails high because 1st base coach never moved an inch and was in the way of the throw.

I called Coaches Interference and R3 out at Home. Was this correct?

[Umpete]

Rule 3.15 Comment: The question of intentional or unintentional interference shall be decided on the basis of the person’s action.

In your case, you have to decide if the coach's (lack of) action was intentional. If that was your judgment, you made the right call. I would typically give wide latitude to a coach that was making some effort to not interfere.

[noumpere]

I called Coaches Interference and R3 out at Home. Was this correct?

Not likely correct. The defense put the ball in foul territory, the coach was where he was supposed to be, he didn't interfere with a batted ball (or a fielder attempting to field a batted ball).

[Umpire in Chief]

This is a pure HTBT. Use your best judgement. If you think his not moving is an act of interferrence you'll get no argument from me.

[kylejt]

Don't confuse this with a pop up near the coaches box. That's different. The coach is required to bail out then.

On a thrown ball, you're looking for intent, not negligence.

[JaxRolo]

Don't confuse this with a pop up near the coaches box. That's different. The coach is required to bail out then.

On a thrown ball, you're looking for intent, not negligence.

Whether there was intent or negligence there was plenty of time for for him to move and he chose to stay there. He knew the ball was coming his way.

I see it as both intentional and neglectful. Runner out.

I agree with Warren on a HTBT. To hard to set the scene.

[kylejt]

Not moving out of the way, when you could have, would be intent.

Moving the wrong way, when you don't know which way to go, wouldn't be. Or, standing your ground, when you don't know what the defensive player might do wouldn't be either. Heck, he might have tried a tag on the BR up the line, or thrown to a different base.

Fair enough?

p.s. the coaches box has nothing to do with the rules governing this.

But back to the OP. I guess the question would be, should the coach be expected to get out of the way on that particular play? Hard to tell. F3 gloved the errant ball, and turned to throw. IMO, the coach would really have to look like he did something out of the ordinary to get this call. Say, if the ball was between his legs, and he didn't move. Or, he had plenty of time avoid F3, and back out of his position. I'd give the benefit of the doubt to the side who didn't muff the play in the first place.

Edited October 7, 2010 by kylejt

[Umpire in Chief]

On a thrown ball, you're looking for intent, not negligence.

Great point. ;)