Interference or obstruction

[FB Fool]

Runner on first, batter hits a hard ground ball up the middle that deflects off the pitcher towards F4. F4 comes in to field the ball and gets run over by the R1. Field ump calls interference, home ump calls obstruction because it was a deflected ball. Much discussion and alpha home ump wins the obstruction call. I always thought the fielder had the right to make a play on the ball in front of them no matter what?

USA sanctioned tournament

 

[Comp]

What ruleset you playing under? Makes a difference.

 

[angispeds]

Only one fielder is protected. Once the ball was deflected off of the pitcher no other fielder was protected and the call became obstruction. We had a similar play happen on ball in the 5/6 hole that both our ss and 3b were going for. Our 3b tipped it while our ss got taken out by the runner. Ump judged 3b to be the protected fielder and obstruction on our ss.


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[Comp]

Only one fielder is protected. Once the ball was deflected off of the pitcher no other fielder was protected and the call became obstruction. We had a similar play happen on ball in the 5/6 hole that both our ss and 3b were going for. Our 3b tipped it while our ss got taken out by the runner. Ump judged 3b to be the protected fielder and obstruction on our ss.


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Not entirely correct, need to know what ruleset the game was being played under.

 

[FB Fool]

this was a USA tournament

 

[Greatdaytobeawildcat]

this was a USA tournament

In USA, the ball is dead and the runner is out IF the interference is intentional.

8-7,J: When a runner interferes:
4. Intentionally with any defensive player having the opportunity to make an out with the deflected batted ball.
Effect:
a The ball is dead.
b The runner is out.
c The batter-runner is awarded first base.
d Runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

So, umpire judgement on the runners intention.

Also, from the Rules Supplement:
b When a runner is hit by a fair batted ball, it is interference if it occurred before the ball passed an infielder, excluding the pitcher, and provided the runner was not in contact with the base. It is interference if the batted ball deflects off one defensive player and the runner intentionally interferes with any defensive player who has an opportunity to make an out.

 

[Comp]

this was a USA tournament

In USA once the ball is deflected the runner must be judged to have interfered intentionally to be ruled interference. Otherwise it is obstruction.

 

[CoachJD]

In USA once the ball is deflected the runner must be judged to have interfered intentionally to be ruled interference. Otherwise it is obstruction.

Comp, can you post how the rule differs in the different organizations? Might be helpful to have that all in one place.

 

[Comp]

I don't have the actual rules, but NFHS and usssa if the ball is deflected by the pitcher, it is still considered an initial play by another fielder. If any other defensive player deflects the batter ball it is no longer an initial play.

 

[FB Fool]

I dont like the idea of it being a judgement call, there's no way to know what the runner is thinking.

let me try and upload the play.