"proecedure" for declaring coaches interference

[stl_ump]

I've got the plate

 

R2 is rounding 3rd when a throw from the outfield is missed by the pitcher and goes towards the fence.  Coach sees that the catcher is going after the ball and no one is covering home.  He pushes the runner in the back to get him going home.  I see this indiscretion, watch the runner slide into home safely, call time, point to 3rd base coach and announce "coaches interference" declare the runner out and no run scores.

 

Is this the way to do this?

 

Oh and one more question, if the runner had been pushed to go home and maybe went halfway and then came back, would that still be considered interference and an out?

 

BTW... Coach didn't give me any of that incredulous "What? What?"  He just kinda nodded his head in agreement.  After the game both 3rd and 1st base coaches commented that they were surprised that I saw this.  "most umpires don't" was there comment.

[noumpere]

Point at it and call it immediately along with declaring the runner out.  Then leave the ball live.  When play is ended you will probably have to reiterate your call again and return other runners.

 

It's just like when a runner passes another - you don't wait until play is over to make the call.

[maven]

Right: point, "That's interference! He's out!" Do it immediately, so that people know you have something, even if they're not sure what you have.

 

But don't kill it: the ball remains live, and the defense may play on other runners (if any).

 

The runner is out due to the coach interference, and he doesn't become un-out if he returns to a base.

[stl_ump]

Thanks!

[CricketChapman]

While I believe Maven is 100% correct, what is the rule/interpretative reference to the play being a delayed dead ball?  I've found nothing in OBR or MLBUM.

[ricka56]

While I believe Maven is 100% correct, what is the rule/interpretative reference to the play being a delayed dead ball?  I've found nothing in OBR or MLBUM.

In OBR, there is a PBUC interp saying that the ball stays alive (in other words delayed dead).for coach assisting a runner.

 

In Fed, 5-1-2f says that the play is delayed deadball.

[CricketChapman]

 

While I believe Maven is 100% correct, what is the rule/interpretative reference to the play being a delayed dead ball?  I've found nothing in OBR or MLBUM.

In OBR, there is a PBUC interp saying that the ball stays alive (in other words delayed dead).for coach assisting a runner.

 

In Fed, 5-1-2f says that the play is delayed deadball.

 

Any chance you can cite me the PBUC interp?

[BuckeyeMike]

The BRD doesn't have the PBUC citation, but has an interesting Note:

 

Note 297: The staff at PBUC was adamant: The OBR umpire should ignore the penalty for 7.09i: (delayed) dead ball.  When I pressed the spokesman, Mike Felt replied succinctly: "Ball is alive and in play correct."

[ricka56]

My BRD cites official interp # 198-296...dunno if that is the MLBUM or PBUC reference

[noumpere]

While I believe Maven is 100% correct, what is the rule/interpretative reference to the play being a delayed dead ball?  I've found nothing in OBR or MLBUM.

I think this is one of the reasons they took the word "immediately" out of the statement at the end of 7.09

 

this is from Evans:

 

Historical Notes: A rule was introduced in 1914 which made it illegal for a 3rd base coach to touch a runner at

3rd or one who was rounding 3rd and heading to home plate. The assisted runner was to be declared out.

In 1920,the rule was amended. It defined coach's interference as any touching or holding which

physically assisted the runner in either returning to or leaving 3rd base. If no play were being made on the runner,

however, no penalty was invoked.

In 1949, the same restrictions were imposed on the 1st base coach for the first time.

Professional Interpretation: “Physically assisting†implies that the coach did something by touching the runner

which improved that runner's chance of accomplishing his goal as a runner. In other words, touching alone does

not constitute physically assisting. The umpire must be convinced that the runner is trying to get back to a base or

is trying to advance with a sense of urgency.

When a play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire should call "Time" and enforce the penalty.

The runner is out and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference (assistance).

If no play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire shall signal that the runner is out and allow the ball

to remain alive. This enforcement principle permits the defensive team to make plays on other runners if possible.

It is also consistent with other enforcement principles in the Official Baseball Rules in which you have a "delayed

dead ball": 7.06(b) - Obstruction with no play being made on the obstructed runner; and 7.08(h) - Runner declared

out for passing a preceding runner.

 

and continuing a little later:

 

(Though not covered specifically in the Official Rules, this ruling is based on common sense and fair

play. If the ball were instantly killed at the time of a coach's assist, the coach could always control the status of the

ball by grabbing a nearby player.)

[CricketChapman]

Thank you, gentlemen.  This is the authority I needed.