Batter-runner interference

[Guest Eric M - Tx]

Hi 

We like to explain this to our 16U team as a learning tool. Under MLB rules, with the bases loaded and no outs, batter hits a ball to the third baseman, who throws home and gets the force out. The catcher pivots and throws to first to try for the double play. As the batter-runner runs toward base and happens to be just inside in the runners lane along the base line, the first baseman reaches across the base path a step in front of the base in an attempt to catch the ball and before the ball arrives, the runner and fielder collide. It was bang-bang play with no intent on either players’ part. The umpire called the batter-runner out for interfering with the fielder’s attempt to catch the ball and returned the other two base runners to first and second, their original bases. Was this the correct call?  If so, which MLB rule or rules does this fall under?  Is this a judgment call? How could the runner have avoided the fielder?
 

Thank you. 

[BigVic69]

Please read the words "he may" bellow as this means the batter runner does not have to do anything but run down legally in the batters lane. If he is in the runners lane and he is hit, then he is not out by this rule.

"He may" leave the runners lane to avoid getting hit or a collision, but he does not have to leave the lane.

 

MLB Rule 6.05(k) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpires judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the threefoot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball;

Rule 6.05(k) Comment: The lines marking the three-foot lane are a part of that lane and a batter- runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane or on the lines marking the lane. The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base.

[maven]

First, regarding this specific play, it's nearly impossible to assess an umpire's judgment call without video. We need to assess the play as a whole, with a lot of variables. 

The running lane rule concerns the BR running outside the running lane, but its restriction is usually suspended for the last step or two near the base (unless he's been running out of the lane the whole way). For RLI, the ball is dead, the BR is out, and other runners return to their TOI bases (probably 2B and 3B for R1 and R2, but if it was turned fast enough it could be 1B/2B).

If that was the call, then the answer to your question is: have your runners run in the lane whenever the throw might be coming from the plate area.

In not, two basic rules are in play here, obstruction (by the fielder) and interference (by the runner). (The play at the plate is probably irrelevant to the general collision question.) The fielder cannot hinder the runner unless (under OBR) in the act of fielding a throw. If the umpire judged that F3 moved into the BR's path in order to field the throw from F2, then he would not be guilty of OBS.

The runner may not intentionally hinder a fielder receiving a thrown ball. If the umpire judged that the BR intentionally contacted F3, then he'd properly rule INT: the BR out, other runners return to their TOI bases. And in that case, the answer to your question would be to have your runners stop intentionally hindering fielders.

I should mention that there is usually an additional safety provision tacked on to pro rules for amateur leagues, something along the lines of "slide or try to avoid" a fielder making a play. There is usually a time element to this, as a fielder who moves into the runner's path late makes it impossible for runners to react in time. But if the umpire judged that this provision applied, it would be enforced (usually—check your local rules) like INT. For this rule, make sure you know the details of your local safety/slide provisions, and coach your runners accordingly.

Finally, it's possible that this was what we call a "train wreck," which is simply a legal, incidental collision. If it's not RLI, not OBS, not INT, and not a violation of a safety/slide provision, then it's a train wreck. Such collisions can be quite severe, even causing injury to one or both players. Again, without video it's impossible to assess your umpire's judgment call here.

[noumpere]

10 minutes ago, maven said:

 For RLI, the ball is dead, the BR is out, and other runners return to their TOI bases (probably 2B and 3B for R1 and R2, but if it was turned fast enough it could be 1B/2B).

In THIS play, the runners return TOI -- but that's only because there was an "intervening play" (the play at the plate).  As a general rule, in OBR, runners return TOP on RLI.

 

In FED, runners return TOI in RLI, regardless of on intervening play.

[beerguy55]

On 10/11/2020 at 10:26 PM, Guest Eric M - Tx said:

Hi 

We like to explain this to our 16U team as a learning tool. Under MLB rules, with the bases loaded and no outs, batter hits a ball to the third baseman, who throws home and gets the force out. The catcher pivots and throws to first to try for the double play. As the batter-runner runs toward base and happens to be just inside in the runners lane along the base line, the first baseman reaches across the base path a step in front of the base in an attempt to catch the ball and before the ball arrives, the runner and fielder collide. It was bang-bang play with no intent on either players’ part. The umpire called the batter-runner out for interfering with the fielder’s attempt to catch the ball and returned the other two base runners to first and second, their original bases. Was this the correct call?  If so, which MLB rule or rules does this fall under?  Is this a judgment call? How could the runner have avoided the fielder?
 

Thank you. 

I guess the first question is, when you say the runner was "inside" do you mean inside the baseline (ie. to the left), or inside the running lane (ie. in between the two lines).

If the latter, the ump's call was wrong...unless, of course, he judged the runner was not between the lines, or he judged the runners action was intentional.   Be careful what you ask is a "judgment" call....in baseball the term judgment is used for things that are subjective (eg. hindrance), as well as those that are factual (safe/out, fair/foul).

So, it is judgment to whether the runner was inside the running lane or not, and whether or not he hindered F3's ability to catch the throw, and whether or not that hindrance was intentional.   The correct technical application of the rule depends on what he judged.

 

As far as a learning tool - depends if you're teaching your catchers or your runners...and it depends on what you want to achieve.

• Option one - teach your runners to always run inside the lane
• Option two - teach your runners to try to run in the path of the throw...because most amateur umpires are hesitant to call RLI unless the ball hits the runner squarely in the back
• Option three - teach your catchers to step left or right and throw to a clear path, and teach your F3's to direct accordingly
• Option four - teach your catchers to make a perfect throw over the runner's shoulder and to trust the umps to do the right thing
• Option five - teach your catchers to hit B/R right between the shoulder blades to get the RLI call every time

It should be obvious what the right path is, but I guarantee you all five are taught depending on the coach and the level (and in some cases, the opponent)