Why not RLI?

[Velho]

Is this not a quality enough throw? Any other reason not to call it?

 

WBSC rule (same as OBR except the uses the old size of the runner lane):

In running the last half of the distance from home plate to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot lane, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the Umpire’s judgement in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base.

 

[BigBlue4u]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Is this not a quality enough throw? Any other reason not to call it?

Here's an idea.  Get rid of the runner's lane and change the rule to read, "The batter/runner must run directly down the base line toward the base unless he is trying to avoid a tag or contact with a batted ball."

[grayhawk]

To answer your question, "What not RLI?"

Because PU didn't call it.

But yes, of course it's RLI, and an easy one to call if we're doing our jobs properly.

[The Man in Blue]

I'm down with @grayhawk's answer, but here is another frustrating possibility:

The overly literal application of interfering with the fielder taking the throw.  Preventing the throw from getting there is not interfering with the fielder taking the throw.  It is interfering with the throw, and that's not the rule says.

Yes, I absolutely hate that argument, but I have heard more than a few times over the years.

[grayhawk]

12 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I'm down with @grayhawk's answer

Should have stopped there 

12 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Preventing the throw from getting there is not interfering with the fielder taking the throw.  It is interfering with the throw, and that's not the rule says.

I see it differently. Would the fielder have been able to take the throw if not for the ball hitting the runner, who is running illegally? In other words, it was a good throw, but it hit the runner out of the lane. That's interfering with the fielder taking the throw.

Interfering with the throw would be where the fielder throwing the ball throws errantly because he sees the runner, who's running illegally, in his throwing lane. In this case, it's affecting the throw itself.

[The Man in Blue]

I am NOT, and NEVER will make that case, I am just presenting something that I have been told more than once.  As I said, it is overly literal, hinging on the "with the fielder taking the throw" verbiage.

I think it is one of the most ignorant interpretations I have ever heard (up there with allowing a runner to position himself in the likely throwing lane as long as he doesn't look back).