Rules Quiz-You Make the Call

[AZump78]

Bases loaded. 0 outs, 0-0 count. OBR.

The batter hits a fly ball that will come down between third base and home. The plate umpire signals "infield fly if fair!" Then, during his attempted return to third, R3 interferes with the third baseman. The ball is caught over foul territory. Everyone is looking at YOU. What do you do? :shrug:

[JaxRolo]

The ball was caught so he didn't interfere with anything.

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[Ump29]

Batter out on catch. R3 out for interference. R1 and R2. 2 outs.

[Jocko]

Who was my protected fielder? If F5, and he was INT by R3, then R3 out for INT. If F2, F6, or F1 (I know...) Was my protected fielder and R3 ran into F5, nothing. Batter is out on the catch in any case.

[UmpTTS43]

The ball is immediately dead on the INT. R3 out. Since ball was contacted in foul territory it is considered "foul". Batter returns to bat.

[AZump78]

The ball is immediately dead on the INT. R3 out. Since ball was contacted in foul territory it is considered "foul". Batter returns to bat.

Ill be your partner anytime.

[Jocko]

So who caught the ball? If the catcher caught the ball (you said between home and 3B but not how far)? I goofed it on the dead ball, but if F2 camps, would you still call the INT for contact with F5?

[AZump78]

Troutko- the third baseman (F5 if you are scoring at home...) caught the ball. While I did not say that in the OP, no other fielders are mentioned in the situation so you can assume. If fielders are converging or any other pertinent info is needed, I will include it.

TTS got the call right, but is there anything else anyone wants to add from a learning perspective?

[mrumpiresir]

The ball was caught so he didn't interfere with anything.

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The only problem you have is that the ball is dead immediately on R3's interference. You can't wait to see the result of the play to determine what the ruling will be.

[Jocko]

Troutko- the third baseman (F5 if you are scoring at home...) caught the ball. While I did not say that in the OP, no other fielders are mentioned in the situation so you can assume. If fielders are converging or any other pertinent info is needed, I will include it.

TTS got the call right, but is there anything else anyone wants to add from a learning perspective?

from my perspective, I think that I was lumping things together instead of in steps. As in algebra, there is an order of operations. Same with plays like this. Had I thought of the process as an equation, I would be more likely to get the proper answer. I'd rather kick one here than on the field.

[noumpere]

The ball is immediately dead on the INT. R3 out. Since ball was contacted in foul territory it is considered "foul". Batter returns to bat.

What's the reference for the ball is immediately dead. As some know I am away from my books and can't place that statement in my minds eye.

[AZump78]

The ball is immediately dead on the INT. R3 out. Since ball was contacted in foul territory it is considered "foul". Batter returns to bat.

What's the reference for the ball is immediately dead. As some know I am away from my books and can't place that statement in my minds eye.

7.09 - Penalty

[JaxRolo]

Seems like a harsh penalty if the ball is caught anyway and you have the out. But after re-reading the rule I agree the runner is also out.

I don't like it!

On Edit: he is not also out, he is the only out. Unless other things happen!

[johnnyg08]

The ball is immediately dead on the INT. R3 out. Since ball was contacted in foul territory it is considered "foul". Batter returns to bat.

Not only is this the correct call, but nice guidance on runner interference.

[th3]

Sorry I'm missing something - why does the batter return to bat instead of being out on the catch? and is it different in FED?

[th3]

because its a DB on the int?

[johnnyg08]

Nothing happens after the runner interference. At the point of interference, the play is over and offense loses their runner on 3b.

[basejester]

http://www.umpire.org/vb/showthread.php?t=7449

[th3]

and if its caught or lands in fair territory?

[johnnyg08]

Think of it this way...what are your mechanics when a batted ground ball strikes a runner...I know there are some exceptions, but let's say, R2, infield playing at "normal" depth, and it's a routine ground ball to F6 and the batted ball strikes R2 on his way to 3b. What's your mechanic there?

"Time." Point, say: that's intereference." Point at R2. "You, Signal and say "out" Then point at Batter/runner and and say "you, first base" place batter/runner at 1b.

Some concept applies in a batted fly ball. For the purpose of this discussion, assume nothing willful and deliberate.

If the mechanic is different, please correct me, but that's how I'd deal with it with less than two out.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Think back to the play in LA... they kept the ball alive as you should, and I dont have my PBUC book, but i believe in a play like this, the ball should be keep live..cause if it lands fair or fould ( just like in LA) you have different awards.

[AZump78]

Ok...good comments all around. Let's put a bow on this one as it relates to OBR and NCAA.

The play is a great one to teach not only a rule, but the proper way to "think" as an umpire. Take things step-by-stem, in order and the rules get infinitely more simple.

First off, we have an IFF-if fair called. So lets just tuck that one away for if we need it (we don't know yet if it will be fair or not).

Next, we have interference on R3. Any time a runner commits interference the ball is IMMEDIATELY dead. So, the proper way to signal the interference is "TIME-THATS INTERFERENCE". That is probably the biggest lesson to learn from this, WHY it is imperative to call "TIME!" the moment you see the INT. By doing this, you can easily and quickly sort through the rest of the situation. If you fail to call TIME and just say "THATS INTERFERENCE" then your mind will start wondering into all these what if's that don't matter (see the the three replies for examples). By calling TIME, you, and everyone else at the yard, is now aware that anything after you said that magic word can be disregarded (well, ALMOST everything).

In this sitch, one thing that happens after TIME is called DOES matter: whether the ball was fair or foul. Why? because you have to place the Batter/Batter-Runner. Since the ball was not in play when it was caught over foul territory, you CAN'T call the batter out. So what do you do? Well, thats why there is a rule for this. Simply, the only things that makes sense to do, and what the rule states, it so consider it a foul ball, charge a strike to the batter and bring him back to the plate.

th3 asked about if it is caught or lands in fair territory: Well, remember that IFF-if fair? Time to enforce it! BR is out on the IFF, and R3 out on the INT.

So anyway, I hope this drives home WHY it is so important to call TIME before the words "THATS INTERFERENCE" when calling INT on a baserunner.

[AZump78]

is it different in FED?

Yes it is. See NFHS 7-4-1f.

I am not going to open that can of worms but it is discussed in the ABUA link above posted by basejester.

[Jocko]

Ok, so the IFF is the only thing that can be considered AFTER you call time? I can see how the OT could possibly fenagle another swing for B4, so it makes sense to apply the IFF. However, if the ball is caught over foul territory, why would you ignore THAT out, but apply the out if uncaught over fair ground?

[johnnyg08]

Think back to the play in LA... they kept the ball alive as you should, and I dont have my PBUC book, but i believe in a play like this, the ball should be keep live..cause if it lands fair or fould ( just like in LA) you have different awards.

That is a very good point about keeping the ball live as long as possible b/c of the different awards.