Baseball rules runner interference

Runner interference with a batted or thrown ball.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• baseball
• rules
• runner
• inteference

[firstpickjim]

@davidemerling Something "OTHER THAN" trying to get to the base is stuff like kicking at the fielder, swatting at his arm, glove or the ball, pushing him unnecessarily, etc. You're right, they slide at the fielder, and sometimes make contact, but the umps are taught that as long as collisions occur, only from the action of sliding, and they are within reach of the base when sliding, there is no penalty. The penalty is when they do something unnecessary while sliding, that is intent to interfere

[davidemerling]

@firstpickjim Well, then for it to be truly instructional - doing something "OTHER THAN" trying to get to the base needs to be defined. Because when I see these big leaguers going after those pivot men, I am certainly getting the impression that they are doing something OTHER THAN trying to get to the base. They are CLEARLY going after the pivot man and seem to have little interest in the bag. BUT - as long as they are within reach of the base - it's legal - that's how the rule is applied.

[firstpickjim]

@davidemerling I thought that I stated in other words, both here and in the video; what you state here "It's STILL not interference as long as the runner is within reach of the bag and does nothing overt like grabbing the fielder. Simply sliding into the fielder, no matter how obvious or intentional is NOT interference under Official Baseball Rules."

To be penalized, the runner has to do something OTHER THAN, try to get to the base, AND, whatever he does must actually hinder the fielder's play.

[davidemerling]

@firstpickjim It doesn't even matter if a runner, sliding into second, both TRIES to interfere & DOES actually hinder w/ the fielder's attempt to throw to 1st to complete a double play. It's STILL not interference as long as the runner is within reach of the bag and does nothing overt like grabbing the fielder. Simply sliding into the fielder, no matter how obvious or intentional is NOT interference under Official Baseball Rules.

If the fielder is unable to complete the throw - that's too bad.

[firstpickjim]

@davidemerling Yes, I stated and showed in the video, that a runner is not out because TRIES to interfere. He must ACTUALLY interfere with the catch or throw. He's not penalized because he does something before or after the catch/throw, OR if hinders the fielder while simply attempting to get to the base, and is within reach of the base. Your example is obvious intent to hinder the fielder, but since it is simply an act of going to the base, it isn't penalized. Acts OTHER than that, get an out.

[davidemerling]

@firstpickjim You mention MLB interference - runners going into 2nd base ROUTINELY make an obvious an attempt to "interfere" w/ the pivot man's attempt to make a play on the batter-runner. It happens all the time. This is why we see all these acrobatic throws by pivot men when throwing to 1st to complete a double play. Interference is NEVER called on these plays as long as the runner is within reach of the bag - no matter how OBVIOUS & INTENTIONAL the runner's act may be. It is NOT interference.

[wogdoggy]

great info jim,,thanks

[firstpickjim]

@FrenchFrieDay Did you actually watch the video? I gave examples of this. The runner does not have to slide, but he may not INTENTIONALLY interfere with an attempt to catch or throw the ball. Running to the base is not interference unless the runner swats at the fielder or does something that is not part of simply running to the base.

[FrenchFrieDay]

If a runner is coming into 2nd base without sliding and runs directly into the base but bumps into the the fielder playing 2nd and knocks the ball out of his hands whats the call?

[firstpickjim]

@erikhom - if the runner who caused interference is already out, then the batter is called out. If the runner causes interference before he is out, then he is out for interference and the batter gets first. The only time 2 penalty outs are called is when a batter or runner deliberately, and very obviously interferes with a BATTED ball or the fielder who is fielding the BATTED ball, in order to prevent a double play.