Obstruction/Interference

[ziggymom]

I've read a lot of posts here, but haven't posted much, so please bear with me! I've posted to a couple of sites since the parties to this "discussion" read these, too! Anyway, this is not a situation that came up in our game, but rather a "what if" discussion. Situation: B1 lays a bunt down 1B line. F3 is charging up line, she and B-R make contact. There have been two schools of thought: 1) Interference on B-R in regards to F-3 making play and 2) Obstruction on F3 for contact with B-R. After the proponents of #2 gave their thoughts (F2 assumed fielded, so F3 obstructed), it led to further discussion on "what if" F2 fielded only because B-R took F2 out of the play? Any thoughts you have are greatly appreciated! Also ~ does it matter if B-R is in fair or foul territory? Thanks for your help!

[d19softball]

depends on how far down the lin the BR is. Is she in the running lane, has the ball passed another fielder making the initial play on the ball. the situation you are describing is runner interference. Dead ball out all runners go back to laast base occupied.

[Martin]

It would have to be a very unique scenario in order for this to be anything other than intereference.

[skahtboi]

Actually, depending on where it occurred, it could be one of three things. INT, OBS, or simply a wreck. If it occurs right in front of home plate, where the runner is doing what she is supposed to do and the F2 is doing what she is supposed to do, then it is probably a wreck. Further up the line, a wreck becomes less likely and the umpire would have to rule on what occurred, in their judgement. If the F2 had a play on the ball, and the BR prevented it, then INT would be the likely call. If the F2 had no play on the ball, in the umpire's judgement, but still impeded the BR, then OBS would be the proper call.

[MTR]

depends on how far down the lin the BR is. Is she in the running lane, has the ball passed another fielder making the initial play on the ball. the situation you are describing is runner interference. Dead ball out all runners go back to laast base occupied.

Not true. The 3' lane has ZERO, NIL, NADA, ZIP, no bearing on this play.

If, in the umpire's judgment, F3 was THE fielder who was most likely to have a play on the batted ball, it is interference.

If, in the umpire's judgment, F3 was not the primary fielder on the play, it is OBS.

And where it happened on the field is totally and completely irrelevant to this particular scenario.