Interference or obstruction

[The Man In Blue]

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

Only looking at the rule books, not any contradictory case plays or interps:

NCAA -- 2nd fielder protected (see conversation below)


NFHS -- initial fielder protected



USA -- initial fielder only, unless intentional


USSSA -- messier, seems to indicate subsequent fielders are protected




Language matters. In the NCAA rule it states a ball that "ricochets off one defensive player." We were having a similar conversation in a baseball thread and were questioning what "ricochets" means. Some read that as a hot line drive/ground ball that bounces off a fielder as they are reacting. Some read that to include a misplayed ball that gets away. USA uses "deflected" which seems to include the misplayed ball, but could be read either way also. Ricochet is the action of the ball, deflect is the action of the fielder.

In the USSSA rule, it states "a fielder's initial play" as opposed the "the initial play." It seems to indicate any and all fielders are protected on their first play, even if that play comes after another fielder's initial play. Compare that to the NFHS rule that says "the initial play" and you can see the difference.


If I missed any pieces in the books, please let me know.

Edited to add: Let the differing viewpoints on rulebook language begin . . .

 

[The Man In Blue]

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.

Intent has been removed from many rules, but still remains in some. It is a double edged sword.

As an umpire, on intent rules, I do not try to decide what the player is thinking, I (try to) watch and judge the smaller actions before the event. For example, on the vast majority of collisions, you will see the runner brace for the impact. This usually includes clenching the hands into fists, drawing the arms up to the chest, tucking the head, and drawing the shoulders in. This is a natural reaction, although it can look bad and intentional. For me to rule malicious contact, I generally need to see "an unload" of that position: a launch, a push, adding force into the contact, etc.

The same goes for after the collision . . . emotions are going to be hot, so I look for what goes beyond a reaction and becomes an escalation. Slam the ball down, OK. Move back towards the other player, not OK. Yell a swear word, OK. Follow or precede that with "I'm gonna' . . . ", not OK.

You are correct, judging intent is not easy. I typically look for "an unusual action" that is not explained by the play or a "normal reaction."