INT or No INT

[jpperez14]

Runner on 2nd, 1 out.

1) weak ground ball up the middle, F1 squares up the ball, deflects off his glove and moves towards F5. F5 see deflection and moves to field the ball a) R2 is hit by the ball b) R2 and F5 collide, would you have INT?
2) line drive up the middle, F1 attempts to field and deflects the ball to F5, who again F5 attempts to field the ball a) R2 is hit b) R2 and F5 collide.

I thought it would be INT in all scenarios because F5 would still be able to play the ball. Others have disagreed and ruled that you have "nothing". Others, believe its OBS.

Help me out guys if you would please!

[DVA7130]

After the ball is touched by a fielder, runners being hit by the ball can not be guilty of interference unless intentional.

Fielders are still protected while making a play on the ball.

[maven]

Runner on 2nd, 1 out.

1) weak ground ball up the middle, F1 squares up the ball, deflects off his glove and moves towards F5. F5 see deflection and moves to field the ball a) R2 is hit by the ball b) R2 and F5 collide, would you have INT?
2) line drive up the middle, F1 attempts to field and deflects the ball to F5, who again F5 attempts to field the ball a) R2 is hit b) R2 and F5 collide.

I thought it would be INT in all scenarios because F5 would still be able to play the ball. Others have disagreed and ruled that you have "nothing". Others, believe its OBS.

Help me out guys if you would please!

1a. That's nothing: when a fielder deflects a batted ball, the runner is protected from interfering with the ball. Live ball, play the bounce.

1b. That's INT: even though a fielder deflected the batted ball, the runner must not interfere with the protected fielder. The ball is dead, the runner is out, other runners return.

2a. Same as 1a.

2b. Same as 1b.

[jpperez14]

@maven, so if a deflection happens and hits a runner, the runner is protect and it's nothing. 

If a deflection happens and the runner contacts the protected fielder, since only one can be protected, it's INT. 

If a deflection happens and the runner is hit by the ball and end ups kicking it away from the fielder you also have nothing, unless if in your judgement you felt the kicking of the ball was intentional. 

[noumpere]

@maven, so if a deflection happens and hits a runner, the runner is protect and it's nothing. 

If a deflection happens and the runner contacts the protected fielder, since only one can be protected, it's INT. 

If a deflection happens and the runner is hit by the ball and end ups kicking it away from the fielder you also have nothing, unless if in your judgement you felt the kicking of the ball was intentional. 

That's all correct. "Interfering with the BALL" and "interfering with a FIELDER" are different things, governed by different rules.

[Senor Azul]

From the 2015 edition of the MLBUM (Interpretation 44, play 5):

With a runner on first base, the batter hits a line drive back to the pitcher that deflects off of the pitcher’s glove and rolls towards the second baseman. As the second baseman is attempting to field the ball, the runner from first collides with the second baseman.  RULING:  In the judgment of the umpire, if the second baseman has a legitimate play on the ball, the runner from first is called out for interference. The ball is dead at the moment of interference, and the batter-runner is placed at first base (provided the interference was not intentional; if intentional, both runner and batter-runner are declared out). However, if the umpire rules that the second baseman does not have a legitimate play on the ball (i.e., the second baseman was merely moving in the direction of a loose ball), then obstruction is called under OBR 6.01(h)(2) [formerly OBR 7.06(b)].

 

This same play also appears in the 2014 PBUC (p. 84).