Running Lane

[cyclonehokiece]

I was working a Varsity Scrimmage (FED, 3 man, I had stick). At least R3 (there may of been an R2, but I cannot remember), one out. Batter bunts, hard enough that the pitcher fields it about a third of the way up the baseline and it was easily fair.  He throws to first, however the runner was clearly outside the running lane.  I call nothing because the play was made easily to get the out (hey, if they make the play, what is there to interfere with).  I know that if the pitcher plunked the batter-runner we would of had an out, all other runners return, but would you ever consider calling a running lane violation (especially in FED where quality throw is not part of the equation) if the runner just makes the play more difficult, like the fielder bobbles a throw that should of been routine?  I guess that kinda happened on this play, but the runner was dead by a good 10 feet, so I didn't judge him to interfere.  I was also thinking that in a regular season game, a crafty coach would of argued for the interference for making the play difficult to get R3 to return.  I just know in this situation, the coach used it as a teaching tool for his team to make it obvious to an umpire by hitting the runner if you have to to sell the violation.

 

If I was wrong, let me have it.  Why I am posting, to learn. 

[semper_fi_72]

Can't call interference if there is no interference.

[Thunderheads]

If they got the out, there's no interference ......

 

and in your hypothetical, did you mean ...."if the fielder makes the play more difficult" ???  You said, 'runner' ....

[UmpJM]

In order for there to be a violation the runner has to be outside of the lane AND he has to interfere.

 

If he is outside the lane and does not interfere, there is no violation.

 

I disagree with Thunder's assertion that "If they got the out, there's no interference....". It is entirely possible for the defense to get the out even WITH interference and you should make the call based on what happens before the play is completed, not based on the result of the play.

 

JM

[cyclonehokiece]

Thunder, I meant runner (makes the play more difficult but still doable), but yes the fielder plays into it as well. 

[yawetag]

According to this year's FED Preseason Guide: "However, when the ball is being thrown to first base from the area of the plate, [the batter-runner] is required to run the last half of the distance from home to first base within the three-foot running lane. If the runner does not do so, there is no penalty unless, in the umpire's judgment, he interferes with the fielding of the ball or throw to first base (8-4-1g). ... In order for interference to be called, the fielder must make a throw. The rule does not require that the throw hit the runner. If the runner is out of the lane and a throw is made, running-lane interference must be called." (bolding mine)

 

Sadly, FED doesn't require any actual interference, only that you're outside the lane when the ball is thrown. So, in OP, it's INT in Fed; runners return.

[noumpere]

According to this year's FED Preseason Guide: "However, when the ball is being thrown to first base from the area of the plate, [the batter-runner] is required to run the last half of the distance from home to first base within the three-foot running lane. If the runner does not do so, there is no penalty unless, in the umpire's judgment, he interferes with the fielding of the ball or throw to first base (8-4-1g). ... In order for interference to be called, the fielder must make a throw. The rule does not require that the throw hit the runner. If the runner is out of the lane and a throw is made, running-lane interference must be called." (bolding mine)

 

Sadly, FED doesn't require any actual interference, only that you're outside the lane when the ball is thrown. So, in OP, it's INT in Fed; runners return.

You might check with your state to see if that's correct.  I've heard that some areas have said to ignore or to change the bolded part of your paragrpah.  and, I agree with them (not that they asked me)

[sdix00]

Wait.  So we are supposed to call INT every time BR is outside the lane and the throw originates from near HP?

[UmpJM]

Andrew,

 

That ruling says two contradictory things, and the part you bolded has no basis or support in the rule or case book - because it's just flat out wrong.

 

Therefore, since it says two contradictory things, I will use the one that is correct:

 

...If the runner does not do so, there is no penalty unless, in the umpire's judgment, he interferes with the fielding of the ball or throw to first base (8-4-1g).

 

JM

[Welpe]

Nice to see the Fed is bogarting the herb again.

[cyclonehokiece]

According to this year's FED Preseason Guide: "However, when the ball is being thrown to first base from the area of the plate, [the batter-runner] is required to run the last half of the distance from home to first base within the three-foot running lane. If the runner does not do so, there is no penalty unless, in the umpire's judgment, he interferes with the fielding of the ball or throw to first base (8-4-1g). ... In order for interference to be called, the fielder must make a throw. The rule does not require that the throw hit the runner. If the runner is out of the lane and a throw is made, running-lane interference must be called." (bolding mine)

 

Sadly, FED doesn't require any actual interference, only that you're outside the lane when the ball is thrown. So, in OP, it's INT in Fed; runners return.

 

Thanks for that, I thought I read something somewhere, just couldn't remember where.  I may bring this up to the board of my association to get an interpretation, because we have found errors in the preseason guide before.

[noumpere]

According to this year's FED Preseason Guide: "However, when the ball is being thrown to first base from the area of the plate, [the batter-runner] is required to run the last half of the distance from home to first base within the three-foot running lane. If the runner does not do so, there is no penalty unless, in the umpire's judgment, he interferes with the fielding of the ball or throw to first base (8-4-1g). ... In order for interference to be called, the fielder must make a throw. The rule does not require that the throw hit the runner. If the runner is out of the lane and a throw is made, running-lane interference must be called." (bolding mine)

 

Sadly, FED doesn't require any actual interference, only that you're outside the lane when the ball is thrown. So, in OP, it's INT in Fed; runners return.

 

Thanks for that, I thought I read something somewhere, just couldn't remember where.  I may bring this up to the board of my association to get an interpretation, because we have found errors in the preseason guide before.

There hasnt been an error in the preseason guide in nearly a year.  Give them a break. lol.