Other ISA - Runner collision with fielder

[DSNuts48]

Guy on 2nd, ball is hit about 10ft from 2nd. Runner lunges over the ground ball and then immediately comes into contact with the short stop as he was making a shallow attempt to field the ball. Runner is called out because he didn't try to avoid the fielder, but the runner never was aware the fielder was running up. Correct ruling?

 

[RDD15]

Not quite correct. If the runner had been called out for making contact with the fielder, it would have been correct.

Regardless of whether he knew the fielder was there, if he tried his darnedest to avoid the fielder or any other circumstance, if the runner touches a fielder who is making a play on a batted ball, the runner is out.

 

[BretMan]

What's a "shallow attempt" to field a ball?

If it's an attempt to field a batted ball where the umpire judges there was no possibility of an out being made then this isn't interference.

If it means making some move toward the runner that's not part of a reasonable effort to make a play, but designed more to draw contact and a call that wouldn't have otherwise been there, then that's not interference either.

But if the fielder had a legitimate play and was simply trying to make it, then this is interference. It doesn't matter is the runner tried to avoid contact or if the runner had any idea where the fielder was playing or moving. Those aren't requirements of the playing rules.

If a fielder is in the act of fielding a fair batted ball and a runner impedes that effort and prevents a play, then that's interference. The fielder has the 100% right of way here. Runners are obligated not to interfere, whether accidently or intentionally.

Correct ruling? Interference, dead ball, runner out.

 

[DSNuts48]

Seems stupid to me, even though I now know the ruling. Can it be a judgment call? As to whether the runner had time to avoid the play? From what I recall the SS was play shallow, once the ball was hit it was a quick play. The runner had very little time to jump over the ball once he left the bag and then the collision happened. Could it be a judgment that the runner didn't have time avoid the collision as his focus was on the ground ball, or will it always be a dead ball, runner is out.

 

[BretMan]

Could it be a judgment that the runner didn't have time avoid the collision as his focus was on the ground ball, or will it always be a dead ball, runner is out.

I suppose an umpire could say that's how he judged the play...but that judgment wouldn't have anything to do with applying the actual playing rule! If an umpire tells you he didn't call interference because "the runner didn't have time to avoid the collision" or that "the runner tried to avoid the collision" then he doesn't understand the actual rule and how it is applied.

The fielder has the right of way to field a batted ball without being impeded- period.

Sometimes, this can seem like a raw deal for a runner. But it's an even "raw-er" deal for the defense, who had the opportunity to record an out and had it taken away from them through no action of their own. Why punish the defense because a runner is too dim to realize that when the ball is hit right next him there's a real good chance that a fielder will be trying to field it!

Runners have lots of options here to avoid interfering. They can watch the ball, watch the fielder, advance, not advance, stop in their tracks, retreat, run away from, behind or around the fielder.

A fielder has far fewer options when making a play. He pretty much has to go where the ball is taking him!

 

[DSNuts48]

I suppose an umpire could say that's how he judged the play...but that judgment wouldn't have anything to do with applying the correct playing rule! If an umpire tells you he didn't call interference because "the runner didn't have time to avoid the collision" or that "the runner tried to avoid the collision" then he doesn't understand the actual rule and is applying incorrectly.

The fielder has the right of way to field a batted ball without being impeded- period.

Alright cool, thank you.