Interference running to first?

[Guest Kyle]

If a pop up is hit between the home plate and first base right by the the foul line, does the runner have to avoid the pitcher (if he has the best chance of getting it)? Just asking since how is he suppose to know where the ball is if he is running to first? 

[maven]

Yes. One fielder is protected, and the runner must avoid him (not just try to avoid). Contact or other hindrance is INT.

 

He doesn't have to avoid the ball, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't know where it is. He can see the fielder.

[noumpere]

 

 

He doesn't have to avoid the ball,

 

???  he does until it's gone through or by a fielder and another fielder does not have a play (with some variations based on code).

[maven]

 

 

 

He doesn't have to avoid the ball,

 

???  he does until it's gone through or by a fielder and another fielder does not have a play (with some variations based on code).

 

 

The question seemed to imply it was difficult to avoid the fielder because he couldn't see the ball.

[grayhawk]

 

 

 

 

He doesn't have to avoid the ball,

 

???  he does until it's gone through or by a fielder and another fielder does not have a play (with some variations based on code).

 

 

The question seemed to imply it was difficult to avoid the fielder because he couldn't see the ball.

 

 

He asked, "Just asking since how is he suppose to know where the ball is if he is running to first?"

 

My answer would be that we don't care whether or not he can know where the ball is, because the rules don't make an allowance for that.  If he hinders the fielder in this situation, then it's interference.  If he's hit by the fair batted ball in this situation, then it's interference.  The batter runner is expected to not interfere - how he does that is up to him.

[ALStripes17]

If a pop up is hit between the home plate and first base right by the the foul line, does the runner have to avoid the pitcher (if he has the best chance of getting it)? Just asking since how is he suppose to know where the ball is if he is running to first?

The runners are to avoid fielders making a play the same way that fielders not making a play must avoid runners. Fielders (and runners) don't have eyes facing all directions; however, if their back is turned to a runner running the bases, said fielder is still required to be out of the runner's way. Side thought for umpires: we are taught to look at the fielder making the play on a pop up in order to stay out of their way. It's not a bad basis of training to give to a runner as well.

[afaber12]

Also remember that the batter-runner (or other runners in other variations of this situation) shouldn't have to know where the ball is specifically. If a fielder is making a legitimate attempt to catch the batted ball, then that fielder is protected (assuming you're not protecting another fielder doing the same). If he's not doing that and is getting in the way, and the runner doing the right thing veers out of the fielders path, then he's been obstructed and depending on the rule set is either protected to the base he would otherwise have gotten to if not awarded that base or possibly beyond it.

 

Either way its in the runners interest to avoid the fielder.

[Guest David]

Does the base line come into play when the runner is running from home plate to first?  A few times I have seen batters start their run to first base about 2 feet left of the base line - aparently to avoid the catcher trying to field a bunt.  Does the 3 foot rule apply on both sides of the base line running to first or is the batter/runner expected to stay in foul teritory to avoid any fielder trying to make a play?

[scrounge]

The runner is specifically allowed - and expected - to deviate from the basepath to avoid a fielder playing the ball. Otherwise he/she would be liable for interference. The 3 foot rule only applies when a play is being made ON the runner, such as avoiding a tag. The baseline itself is just chalk - it has no significance to the situation at hand. Now it comes into play for runner lane interference, but not this. The basepath is the direct path from the runner to the base WHEN a play is made. Until they start to make a play on the runner, the runner can take any path he/she wants (again, this could bring RLI into play, but that's a different issue).

[noumpere]

Does the base line come into play when the runner is running from home plate to first?  A few times I have seen batters start their run to first base about 2 feet left of the base line - aparently to avoid the catcher trying to field a bunt.  Does the 3 foot rule apply on both sides of the base line running to first or is the batter/runner expected to stay in foul teritory to avoid any fielder trying to make a play?

I think you mean "running lane" not "base line."  (If not, I apologize).  If so, then it only applies the second half of the way to first, and only if it affects the fielder taking the throw (or the ball itself -- but not the "thrower").  It's only in foul territory -- it does not extend to fair territory (beyond the width of the foul line itself.)

[maven]

I think he's asking about being called out for out of the baseline if he runs around a fielder who is fielding the ball.
 
FED explicitly builds this exception into the "out of the baseline" rule (8-4-1-g): "This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw."
 
So does OBR 7.08(a)(1): " He runs more than three feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball."