Runner interference?

[rinbee]

Ground ball hit to F6 with R2 stopping right in front of F6 on way to third. There is no contact by R2 with the ball or fielder but he is screening the fielder from the ball. I do not see anything in OBR but would you call the INT? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[maven]

It depends.

If R2 stops to avoid the ball and happens to be right in front of F6, that's likely nothing, even if it results in hindrance.

If R2 stops in order to screen F6 or does a little dance there, AND his actions hinder F6 fielding, that's INT.

[noumpere]

Let me add to Maven's response with some guidelines:

 

If R2 stops and the ball passes in front of R2, it's generally (almost always) nothing -- R2 was legally trying to avoid being hit by the ball.

 

If R2 stops and the ball passes under or behind R2, it's generally (mostly, but not always) INT -- the normal action by an R2 trying to be safe is to run as fast as he can to the bext base and the action of stopping is not consistent with that, so get the INT.

[Rich Ives]

Let me add to Maven's response with some guidelines:

 

If R2 stops and the ball passes in front of R2, it's generally (almost always) nothing -- R2 was legally trying to avoid being hit by the ball.

 

If R2 stops and the ball passes under or behind R2, it's generally (mostly, but not always) INT -- the normal action by an R2 trying to be safe is to run as fast as he can to the bext base and the action of stopping is not consistent with that, so get the INT.

If the runner just jumps over the ball or its path as he is running that is generally not int.

[johnnyg08]

As you describe it, it sounds like interference to me.  Others before me have clarified when it would not be INT.

[Guest]

Curious....what would happen to the runners if interference was called on this play? I assume R2 would be called out. Correct?

[Richvee]

Curious....what would happen to the runners if interference was called on this play? I assume R2 would be called out. Correct?

R2 would be called out. Ball is dead. Batter gets 1st. If there were an R1 he has to go to 2nd. If ther were R3 he would return to 3rd. 

[Guest]

THANKS!