Runner Fielder Contact

[Guest Dan]

This was in a 7-8 year old game and was just wondering if the correct call was made.

 

Situation, 2 outs, Runners on 1st and 2nd (Runner on first tying run, no lead off in this age group), bottom 6 (last inning)

 

Ground ball hit to first baseman playing about 3 feet off the bag and one to two feet behind the baseline. Simultaneously the runner breaks for 2nd and the fielder breaks for the ball. They collide and the ball rolls into the outfield. Runners advance one base on the play. Ruling was made that the runner was out due to contact with the first baseman, and the game ended. Should the runner be out? What is the correct ruling on this type of play? The contact was unintentional as the fielder was attempting to charge the ball and the runner was breaking off the bag.

 

 

[Mike Prince]

Intent doesn't matter, the interference call was correct. A runner can't take away a fielder's opportunity to field a ball.

[carolinablue]

+1.

[mstaylor]

+2 Intention is not needed on a batted ball.