Interference..... maybe....

[Smckin02]

Senior Little League Game.... Umpiring by myself

Runners on first and second... Batter hit sharp ground ball to F5 who bobbles the ball too late to make a play at second or third he starts his motion to throw to first but realizes he's too late for that as well so he holds the ball. HTHC who was third base coach comes to me states that he has interference at third his runner had to step around the third baseman to get to the bag... I did not see that how ever I was also looking at the shortstop to see where he was going with the play.

There was no chance for a play at third base, I doubt I would have awarded him a base anyway.

I advised the HTHC there was not going to be an interference call. He wanted to get sideways about it but quickly settled down but was obviously aggravated.

Any advice on another way to handle that situation?

[noumpere]

First, it's obstruction, not interference.  (Not that you should mention it to the coach).

 

Second, even if there was OBS, it was Type B (assuming LL follows OBR on this), and you only do what you need to do to negate the play.  That's probably leaving R2 at third.

 

That (in fewer words) is what I'd tell the coach.

[Nafxos]

My advice is don't listen to coaches who don't know the rules.  Or the difference between interference and obstruction. 

I'm having a hard time imagining how I'd have obstruction on F5 here.  But even if I did, I'm putting R2 on 3rd, which is exactly where he ended up anyway.

What did the coach want, his runner awarded home?

[lilleaguer]

"Bill, I don't have obstruction at 3rd. Let's play!"

Assuming the HTHC is named Bill.

[Smckin02]

I know it was obstruction the Coach called it interference ... I posted it like that for effect... and yes he wanted R2 awarded home .. lilleaguer that exactly what I did .. Thank yall for the replies...

 

 it was the bottom of the 7th inning in a tie game ... the coach was doing all he could to get a "W" .. Thanks Again

[grayhawk]

Ummm, F5 was in possession of the ball, correct?  And he was complaining that his runner had to "run around" a fielder that had possession of the ball?  Is he insane?

[maven]

Ummm, F5 was in possession of the ball, correct?  And he was complaining that his runner had to "run around" a fielder that had possession of the ball?  Is he insane?

​I think F6 had the ball, mistakenly numbered F5 in the OP.

Anyway, I might throw him a bone: "even if your runner was hindered, he'd only be awarded 3B, so there's no advantage to pressing this."

[grayhawk]

@Smckin02, did the shortstop or third baseman field the ball?

[Smckin02]

F5 the shortstop was fielding the ball the coach was saying the third baseman was Obstructing the runner

[basejester]

F5 is the third baseman.  F6 is the shortstop.

 

[basejester]

 

[Smckin02]

oh crap I apologize I was confused

[Smckin02]

Thanks Base Jester

[Nafxos]

That changes things completely.  Yes, that's Type B obstruction on F5.  But no, I'm not giving R2 home.  I'm going to award him whatever base I feel he would have reached without the obstruction, which is 3rd.

[jjb]

You're working by yourself: you are therefore going to miss a lot of stuff a 2-man crew would pick up. They don't want to pay the extra bucks for another Umpire, tough noogies. I'd make sure I mentioned that at the Plate Meeting....

[Larry in TN]

"Coach, you want me to call interference at thrid?  Okay, your runner is out!"

[ScubaUmp]

ONE MAN - DIDN'T SEE IT, DIDN'T HAPPEN. WATCH THE BALL,  IT CAN END UP IN YOUR EAR!

[catsbackr]

"Bill (if his name is Bill), you coach and I'll umpire, OK?"

or

"Bill, I'll let you know when I need your help."

 

(Sorry, kind of a slow day, I'm ready to go home.)