R3 Interference on Batted Ball

[Mudder]

It finally happened, 15U, OBR, tight game, R3 none out. I'm PU, R3 has big lead and is very fast. LHB has 2 strikes and is late on his swings and has fouled off like 3 pitches in this AB around the 3B line. I notice after each foul R3 is not very far in foul territory, nor is he adjusting, and given that 3 foul balls have come very close to him, you'd figure the 3B coach would tell him to get more foul with his lead offs. I'm thinking this is interesting... I've never had an R3 get nailed with a batted ball in fair territory, although I've had many, many close calls.

Next pitch, ground ball down 3B line again, maybe 4" - 5" fair. I immediately rip off my mask, belt buckle on the line, R3, who again is "just" in foul territory, jumps to avoid the bounding ball (probably didn't have to) and his left foot pops up and into fair territory while the rest of his body was in foul territory, ball bounces off the toe of his left foot in the air while the ball is fair.

I immediately call "Time" point to R3 and say "That's interference, he's out!" The S$%t storm that ensued by the offense was a'plenty!!, no tosses but a few warnings. From everyone's angle in the park he was in foul territory how could I call him out, except my angle, and his left foot absolutely touched the ball in fair territory.

Did I call this right?

[VAUmp]

If the ball was in fair territory and it hit his foot, yep!

[jjb]

Was at Fenway a million years ago and saw it happen to Jim Rice. He caught it on his arm.

[JaxRolo]

Good job! You should have ejected all of them! lol

[afaber12]

Only you can know if you judged it correctly. After that, sounds spot on to me.

[johnnyg08]

by rule this is the correct decision

[rabbit]

good call.  You'll never forget that one.  If you get questions- use rule book terminology.