Another interference question

[Lightning]

Runner on third, one out. 3B is playing a little behind the bag and close to the line. USA Softball rules.

Batter hits a foul pop-up. It's not very high and doesn't travel very far, but 3B decides to go for it. There is no way she can get the ball unless she has jetpacks on her feet - where the ball lands is a good 40 feet from where she started (closer to P or C than 3B). But on the way to the ball, 3B bumps into the runner on third (she has her back foot on the bag but is ready to break for home if the ball is caught and her coach sends her home).

Ump calls interference, batter out.

So the coach of the team on offense argues that (a) the runner was entitled to be on the bag and (b) even without the bump it was impossible for 3B to get that ball, so he believes that there's no interference.

The coach on defense argues that the wrong player was called out, and he wants the runner on third called out.

So, how would you umpires out there call it?

 

[Sweet Lou]

If the umpire determined it was possible for 3B to make the catch and the runner interfered with her, the correct call was made, batter out.
edit - ignore me, comp knows more take his explanation.

 

[Comp]

On a fly ball the runner is entitled to stay on their base, the only way they can be guilty of interference is if they do something intentional to interfere.

For interference to be called, there must be some play available. If as you say the ball was not catchable, then there is no play to interfere with. Again, that is going purely by your description of the play. Ultimately it is umpire judgment as to if there was a play or not.

As for who is out, the player committing the interference is always the player who is out, unless that player is already out and then the out becomes the runner closest to home. Now, USA does have a provision in their rules that if a runner interferes with a pop fly ball, catchable with normal effort, fair or foul then both the runner and the batter are out. But, again based on your description there does not appear to be anything routine about this pop up.

 

[Comp]

If the umpire determined it was possible for 3B to make the catch and the runner interfered with her, the correct call was made, batter out.

No, not correct call for batter being out.

 

[Sweet Lou]

No, not correct call for batter being out.

Thanks for the correction and explanation.

 

[Lightning]

Thank you! The coach for the offensive team was complaining far and wide about the call but I thought he was kind of lucky that he got to keep his runner on third.

 

[CoachJD]

Thank you! The coach for the offensive team was complaining far and wide about the call but I thought he was kind of lucky that he got to keep his runner on third.

Based on Comp's explanation, the coach for the team at bat was right to be complaining since nobody should've been called out.