Doublebag on 1st....interference rule

[Guest Beach]

softball if batter-runner is running for the orange base and the 1st baseman colides with the runner while trying to ctach the throw & puts their foot on the orange bag, is the runner out?

[flyingron]

Collision avoidance is the goal, but it is largely to the rule of play if there is a collision.

Given the narrow scope of your example, unless F3 is also on the white side, the BR  is safe.

If the defense touches the orange side, it's as if they weren't touching the base at all, if there is a play being made there. That won't put a runner out (in itself).

If the batter-runner only touches the white side, it is as if they missed the base (it's an appealable play).

There are a few exceptions when the play is being made from the foul side of the bag, then the defense is allowed over the orange side.   If no play is being made at first, the runner is free to use the white side as the base.   Similarly, the whole base can be used by either side for tag ups on flies.

The one place collision matters is if the runner hits the first baseman on the white side.   That's the same as interference and treated as such (batter out, other runners go back to base at TOI).

(The above is for USSSA fastpitch).

 

[Guest beach]

The runner is going to the orange bag and 2nd baseman was throwing to 1st ..... it was a bad throw and the 1st baseman went on the orange bag to try and catch it, that's when they collided the ball was dropped and the ump called the runner out for interference

[Senor Azul]

Here is the relevant high school softball rule--2020 NFHS Softball rule 8. As you describe the play, I would say that rule 8-10-1 Penalty 3 is the rule to apply to your scenario (highlighted in bold italics)--

SECTION 10 DOUBLE FIRST BASE (STATE ASSOCIATION ADOPTION)

Art. 1 . . . The defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion when a play is being made on the batter-runner.

PENALTIES (Art. 1):

1. The batter-runner is out when there is a play being made at first base and the batter-runner touches only the white portion provided the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to touch the white or colored base.

2. The batter-runner is out for interference when there is a force play and the batter-runner touches only the white portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white. See Rule 8-2-5 Penalty.

3. Obstruction is called on the defense when there is a force play on the batter-runner, who touches only the colored portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball, while also on the colored portion. See 8-4-3b Penalty.

Art. 2 . . .The offense or defense may use either the white or colored portion:

a. On any force out attempt from the foul side of first base.

b. On an errant throw pulling the defense off the base into foul ground.

c. When the defensive player uses the colored portion of the double base, the batter-runner can run in fair territory when the throw is coming from the foul side of first base, and if hit by the thrown ball, it is not interference. If intentional interference is ruled, the runner is out.