GIMNEPIWO wrote:So when a Catcher throws to first base when there is no play it is DMC but when an Outfielder throws to second base and there is no play it is not DMCF ? If it is a TYPO and she was rounding first and in a jog, not retreating to second; INT seems quite a stretch.
Let's clarify.
The OP tells us they teach their players run out each play hard; but then wants to tell us she was just "jogging". I, for one, consider the probability that the description "jogging" is, at best, self-serving, given the stated "justification". There are two givens here (1) someone on defense thought it was a runner, and 2) umpire considered it sufficient to rule interference), and one contradiction (running hard but just jogging), even without considering which part was a typo.
The rule (and note) cited suggests it "MAY" be interference; that is the judgment part of the rule. If the umpire believes the defense was decoyed when there WAS another play, it is a rule that needs to be enforced. No, it isn't automatic; but I'm NOT here to challenge the judgment, we were asked what is the rule and how does it apply?
As to the suggested contradiction on DMC, I can only tell you that the Note cited specifies that D3K "play" as an exception that cannot be considered as a decoy under the cited rule, even when we know it is. The time-honored explanation is that while players can be decoyed unreasonably during a "heat of the moment" play, it is simply "coaching" to teach a catcher when the dropped (uncaught) third strike rule applies, and when it doesn't. It is a relatively simple matter for a coach to remind the catcher (yes, even a 10U catcher) with two strikes when it applies and when it doesn't; while players would more often react to the sight of runners in the middle of a live play.