correct ruling

[renegadewolf]

I know I will get some HTBT answers on this one, so i will attempt to describe this as vividly as possible. No runners batter hits a short high arc pop up to the right about 30 feet from the plate over foul territory. Catcher is not looking terribly interested in chasinng the ball down, pitcher is coming in and first baseman is running in from about 15 feet behind and 10 feet in towards second. BR is a RH batter immediately drops his bat and starts for first making his way towards the runners lane at about the 45 foot range in foul territory there is minor contact between the BR an P3, P3s glove brushed against the BR. No one gets to the ball in time although P3 was very close infact the ball bounced off the end of his glove lands on the ground in foul territory. I would have to say at the time of contact the pitcher was closer to the ball, but P3 was moving much faster and calling for the ball. In my judgement no one was trying to get in the way of anyone, infact I don't think either player really saw the other as P3 was looking up at the ball, had moved in a pretty straight line from his previous position to the ball and the BR was running in foul close to the baseline where the lane would be chastising himself for the hit until the contact was made (just trying to paint a clear picture here is all). Would we have just a foul ball? Interference? Obstruction? I know only one fielder can be protected for interference even though there were 3 in the area and 2 pursuing though only 1 calling. Any input on how to deal with this situation?

[Replacematt]

Go in order.

1. What fielder is protected? It's not necessarily who's closest--it's who is the most likely to play the ball.

2. Did the contact involve the protected fielder? If no, go to 4.

3. Did the contact hinder the fielder? If yes, interference, and kill the play. If not, continue to 4.

4. Did the contact hinder the runner? If yes, obstruction. If no, it's nothing.

I will say that contact between a fielder and a runner on a batted ball is always either obstruction or interference. I have yet to see a situation where it is not, so you can simplify steps 2 and 3 above.

[renegadewolf]

So in this sitch, I would say P3 is the fielder most likely to play the ball. Yes we had contact with protected fielder. Since the glove arm is the body part that made contact and that the ball bounced off the glove as he was trying to catch it we could infer that the contact hindered the fielder. Call should have been interference from the process you have given me

[Replacematt]

It actually is that easy...just internalize it.

[renegadewolf]

Thats what I love about this place, always learning. I don't suspect I am going to stop as long as I am calling games

[noumpere]

Go in order.

1. What fielder is protected? It's not necessarily who's closest--it's who is the most likely to play the ball.

2. Did the contact involve the protected fielder? If no, go to 4.

3. Did the contact hinder the fielder? If yes, interference, and kill the play. If not, continue to 4.

4. Did the contact hinder the runner? If yes, obstruction. If no, it's nothing.

I will say that contact between a fielder and a runner on a batted ball is always either obstruction or interference. I have yet to see a situation where it is not, so you can simplify steps 2 and 3 above.

I generally agree with the above and will add that contact is not needed for either obstruction or interference.

So if the protected fielder is involved then its either interference or nothing.

If the nonprotected fielder is involved then its either obstruction or nothing.

Since the ball was foul its not going to be obstruction, in this particular play. Also even if there was obstruction if the ball was caught then the obstruction is ignored.

[JaxRolo]

I agree with the above comments but how could it ever be OBS if its a foul ball.

Also if its INT it should be called as soon as it happens so the fielder coming close to catching it or the ball hitting his glove have no say in calling the INT.

Feel free to tell me if I am seeing this wrong.

[BigSimonia]

I agree with the above comments but how could it ever be OBS if its a foul ball.

Also if its INT it should be called as soon as it happens so the fielder coming close to catching it or the ball hitting his glove have no say in calling the INT.

Feel free to tell me if I am seeing this wrong.

B/R in the lane is in foul territory. F1, F2 or F3 just doofing around (i.e., not making a play and not protected) can obstruct him on his way to 1st.

[noumpere]

I agree with the above comments but how could it ever be OBS if its a foul ball.

Also if its INT it should be called as soon as it happens so the fielder coming close to catching it or the ball hitting his glove have no say in calling the INT.

Feel free to tell me if I am seeing this wrong.

B/R in the lane is in foul territory. F1, F2 or F3 just doofing around (i.e., not making a play and not protected) can obstruct him on his way to 1st.

True but if its an infield fly or the ball is caught or the ball is foul then the obstruction on the batter runner is going to be ignored.