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Online now: 0 members ; 86 anonymousDiscussion: Runner Interference at Second Base
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| Oct. 15, 2015 TexasTransplant Men's 70 516 posts | Runner Interference at Second Base We have an ongoing discussion/argument on our team that flares up every time there is a double play attempt and the base runner going into second appears to be in the way of the pivot man making a throw to first. Most cite the idiom: "Slide or get out of the way." We have even had a few umpires cite that opinion. If you read the Umpiring Forum on softball fans.com, however, the consensus of the knowledgeable umpires seems to be that the runner is entitled to the base path and as long as he does nothing to overtly interfere (wave his arms, divert his body into the ball deliberately, ala Reggie Jackson, etc.), he would not be guilty of interference EVEN IF HE WAS HIT BY THE BALL, the rationale being that the runner cannot simply go "poof" and disappear. They even opine that the pivot should have enough game presence to know the runner is approaching and move to the left or right so that his throw avoids the runner in the base path. They further state that should the runner veer off his direct path to the base and subsequently be hit by the throw, he would then be guilty of interference. Just curious to see what this board thinks about this. Particularly interested in thoughts from umpires and input from SSUSA staff as to whether there might be a special rule on this for Senior Softball |
| Oct. 15, 2015 GSWP001 Men's 60 75 posts | I was called out at second at St George by this supposed rule. I actually touched the base first and the 2nd baseman bumped into me. I think the umpires are geared to call such to enforce the avoidance rule. Upon talking with the ump he said he understood but the play had been called. |
| Oct. 16, 2015 B.J. 1105 posts | a runner that goes into 2nd base standing up and bumps a fielder making a play should be called out for interference. That is why you are told get down or get out of the way. A runner once called out and still going toward 2nd base has no obligagtion to leave the base path....if he decides to take a throw off his forehead you still have a live ball. It is up to the fielder to step across the base line and throw around him. If the runner were to move into the throw or stick up their arms then that would be interference. Also if a runner going into 2nd base and he has veered off but the fielder misses the throw but then is tagged out after the fielder picks up the ball..if in the judgement of the umpire he would have been safe by going straight to the bag then he should be awarded the base. |
| Oct. 16, 2015 stick8 1991 posts | Texas Transplant those umpires in that other forum are exactly right!! There is no rule that says you must slide or get out of the way. BJ, I have to call into question your last sentence. I'm on first with one out. The batter hits a grounder to short. He flips to second and second misses the ball. While running to second, I've veered off but the second baseman grabs the ball and tags me while I'm off the bag. Are you saying I'd be safe at second if the umpire felt I would have made it to second safely if I didn't veer off? Perhaps that's a senior rule but I have to admit I've never heard of that one. |
