What's the Call? (video)

[softballer14]

What's the call? Runner on first, one out. Fly ball right behind first base that lands fair and rolls foul. First baseman back peddles into the runner standing on first base.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcdSLmgSQqI

[Dugout Dad]

The first baseman should have flipped off the mask, seriously, it appears her ability of catching that ball were questionable from the beginning. Where was the second baseman, that was her ball. You can argue that the runner should have gotten out of the way, but what happens if the first baseman or second baseman catches the ball and the runner is off the bag in order to get out of the way and is doubled up? It appears the runner was just standing on the bag and did not interfere. Chances are, with the first baseman back peddling like that, she would have tripped over the base anyways.

[Comp]

There shouldnt have been any call other than live ball play on. The runner is not required to vacate a base on a fly ball and must do something intentional to interfere to be called for interference. In the video posted the runner did nothing but return to the base an F3 backed up into her.

[Diesels_dad]

Infield fly rule?

[Dugout Dad]

Infield fly rule?

It appears that the ball went untouched and was foul, but you are right, if fair, the IFR should have been in effect.

[ice_67]

I thought you had to have runners at first and second bases for the Infield Fly rule to be in affect.

[Comp]

Based on base umpires positioning there was only a runner at 1st base. No infield fly possible. Further, IFF must be catchable with normal effort, not sure this would qualify as normal effort.

[Bretman]

I wouldn't have interference on this play. The runner has the right to stay on the bag and, if she does, then the fielder has the responsibility to work around her.

From ASA Rules Supplement (Interference):

A runner could be standing on a base and a defensive player
bumps the runner while watching the flight of the ball. If the
defensive player fails to make a catch on a ball that could
have been caught, it is the umpire’s judgment whether or
not interference should be called. The rule provides that a
runner must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make
a play on a batted ball, unless the runner has contact with
a legally occupied base when the hindrance occurs. In this
case, the runner should not be called out unless the hindrance
is intentional.

[Dugout Dad]

I could not see what other bases were occupied based on the angle of the video. Based on umpire positioning in appears only first was occupied, you are correct, my bad and no infield fly rule. The ball still appears to land foul, though.

[Dugout Dad]

I wouldn't have interference on this play. The runner has the right to stay on the bag and, if she does, then the fielder has the responsibility to work around her.

From ASA Rules Supplement (Interference):

A runner could be standing on a base and a defensive player
bumps the runner while watching the flight of the ball. If the
defensive player fails to make a catch on a ball that could
have been caught, it is the umpire’s judgment whether or
not interference should be called. The rule provides that a
runner must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make
a play on a batted ball, unless the runner has contact with
a legally occupied base when the hindrance occurs. In this
case, the runner should not be called out unless the hindrance
is intentional.

The right call