Interference Question

[slowcelica]

This happened yesterday, runners at 1st and 2nd. Ball hit to second the runner on 2nd was deemed to have interfered with the short, but she still got the ball to second on time to get the runner, and 2nd gets it to first in time to get the batter.

Umpires rule it’s a dead ball after the interference and runner at 1st is safe at 2nd, and batter is safe at first. Runner at second was out on interference. Is this right? Usssa rules.

 

[flash277]

that is correct, once the umpire calls interference, the ball is dead, no plays can be made, batter gets first, runner on 1st gets second, and and runner who interfered is out.

 

[The Man In Blue]

I think we were having this same conversation in another thread.

I'll go the other way, it was not correct.

If there was interference, the umpire should have killed the play IMMEDIATELY. The batter-runner could/SHOULD still have been ruled out for a second out if the umpires felt the interference also prevented a double-play.

Since the umpires did not kill it immediately, the runner did not interfere and the double play should have stood. It is NOT interference after a play is successful. Why do we keep doing this?

Also, why did you just reward the offense for interference?

 

[EdLovrich]

the runner on 2nd was deemed to have interfered with the short

Interference was ruled, dead ball. OP does NOT say if the umpire killed the play or not, but from experience, players often continue. So, dead ball and enforece the rest of the rule REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE UMPIRE CALLS "TIME, that's interference."

 

[EdLovrich]

Also, why did you just reward the offense for interference?

The offense was NOT rewarded. They have an additional out and no runners advance.

If the umpire properly called 'TIME, that's interference, we have no way of knowing if that caused the runners/batter-runner to slow/stop running. So, unless the umpire is also ruling obvious attempt to prevent double play and the following runner is also out, you must award BR 1st, return other runners to last base occupied at the time of interference unless forced to advance by award to BR.

 

[EdLovrich]

TMIB, I know the timing is lousy the way the OP was worded, but even the best of us need a moment to recognize what has happened and then make the decision of whether or not it was interference. But, no matter what happens afterwards, if in our mind it the original act hindered, impedes or prevents the fielder, then we CANNOT reference anything that occurred afterwards.

 

[SoulFY]

TMIB, I know the timing is lousy the way the OP was worded, but even the best of us need a moment to recognize what has happened and then make the decision of whether or not it was interference. But, no matter what happens afterwards, if in our mind it the original act hindered, impedes or prevents the fielder, then we CANNOT reference anything that occurred afterwards.

Yeah it is a very simple concept. Not sure why people are having difficulty understanding it. It's not basketball where you keep playing after the whistle and see if they make the shot.

 

[flash277]

@The Man In Blue maybe the umpire is a slow old timer who wasn't quick to the draw, he may have called interference when the SS was making a play to 2nd, still dead ball interference. What is he suppose to do, yell at the top of his lungs over and over again "DEAD BALL DEAD BALL DEAD BALL" and flail his arms like a looney bird?

 

[radness]

To TMIB point this call needs to be indicated immediately.
....alright so it was a later thot decision exactly why
* the players can/should still finish the play regardless. (and umpires can send back whomever later as they did)

However
The point being~This call is an in the moment call. The blues do not have the luxury of waiting like infield fly rule.

And that its noted in this OP's scenario the defense did get the double play.
Proving they could get 2 outs.

If the umpires are going to be late thats on them.
If they are going to overturn the play that happened.
They should have included conclusively that was a double play ball = 2 outs.

In OP's scenario it was kinda like being wrong twice.

Late call overturning two outs into one.

Btw yes i brought up this exact scenario in the other thread

 

[EdLovrich]

You cannot assume that without the interference call there would have been two outs even if the defense completed what looks like a double play. Did the runners slow down/stop when they heard "Time, that's interference" Was it said? No way of knowing from here and now.