thesteve
Addicted to Softballfans
Just wanted to get some perspective on how you guys would've called this one: https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-...ame-after-odd-obstruction-call-061317518.html
Id say if he runs into the guy who fielded the ball he is out, but because he tried to avoid that guy but ran into the pitcher he gets 1st base. Smart play on his part. But im no umpire.
Aybar is a sneaky *****. The umpires knew they screwed up which is why Melvin was never tossed. Umpires are infallible so the call stood even when they couldn't come up with a reason why.
He changed course and ran straight at the pitcher, who had fielded the ball, trying to knock it loose I would assume.
I'm surprised that no one has pointed out that the runner was far enough up the line that he should've been in the runner's lane. Both F1 & F3 were in fair territory which left a clear path to the runner's right & he was about 8' up from where the runner's lane started. He could have veered right into that lane but chose to go left. Hmmm........
You obviously do not understand the rule which applies to the 3' lane. The lane does not come into play here.
The three-foot running lane applies ONLY when the ball is being thrown to first base.
OR when a fielder is attempting to field a batted ball.
Official Baseball Rules
7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when-
k) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and, in the umpire's judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, or attempting to field a batted ball; The lines marking the three foot lane are a part of that "lane" but the interpretation to be made is that a runner is required to have both feet within the three foot "lane" or on the lines marking the "lane."
Here is MLB OBR 7.09
(k) A fair ball touches him on fair territory before touching a fielder. If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, and touches a runner immediately back of him, or touches the runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball. In making such decision the umpire must be convinced that the ball passed through, or by, the fielder, and that no other infielder had the chance to make a play on the ball. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner deliberately and intentionally kicks such a batted ball on which the infielder has missed a play, then the runner shall be called out for interference.
Here is MLB OBR 6.05
(k) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball;
In either case, it shows you post as bull****.
No, it just means they changed the rule, dummy.