Baseball - You make the call!
With
R2 on second, B5 successfully bunts in an attempt to move the runner
ahead. F1 fields the ball just in front of the mound and fires towards
1st base, where F4 is covering about 15 feet in front of the bag, B5
moves into fair territory in an attempt to distract F4 or alter the
play. F4 makes the catch in order to get the out and R2 reaches 3rd.
base just as F4 catches the throw.
A. B5 is guilty of interference
B. B5 is not guilty of interference
C. R2 must return to second base
D. R2 remains at third
E. Team B is issued a warning and the next offender is ejected.
What is your call?
the runner going to first is guilty of interference
Reply to this
This can be a very tricky play. IF, in the umpire's opinion, B5's running inside the baseline actually DOES interfere with the attempt to get him out, THEN B5 would be declared out for interference and R2 would be sent back to 2nd base.
However, if B5's moving inside the baseline DID NOT interfere with the attempt to retire him, then the play will stand as it happened. The way this play is written here seems to infer that the runner's INTENT is to interfere with the attempted put out.But rule 8-4-1-g states:
(Runner is out) when he runs outside the three foot running lane (last half of the distane from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base base; or
1. This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball OR IF THE ACT DOES NOT INTEFERE WITH A FIELDER OR THROW.
So, it will actually come down to the umpire's opinion whether the BR actually DID intefere with the throw in the attempt to make the putout on whether the interference and penalty will be called and enforced.
Reply to this
Agree with Jimmy. Umpire judgment. Phil - what's the "rest of the story...the real answer?"
Reply to this
answer as i see it is B not guilty of interference
Reply to this
A and C apply
Reply to this
The batter is out on interference.
Reply to this