ryan@fremen.DEC (Mike Ryan DTN 264-8280 MK01-2/H32) (06/03/85)
We've all seen how a runner will time his run so he passes just in front
of a ground ball to try to distract the fielder. Imagine a runner on
second with two outs when the batter (let's say Rickey Henderson) hits
a slow roller to shortstop. The runner keeps his eye on the ball so he
can time the play just right, while the shortstop charges the ball because
it's his only hope of making the play at first. Runner, fielder, and ball
attempt to occupy the same space at the same time and discover the limits
of Newtonian physics. What would be the ruling in this case? My guess is
interference by the runner.
I guess this leads to a more general question, since I'm a bit hazy on
interference: What constitutes interference by a baserunner? By a
fielder?
Mike Ryan
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ENet: {FREMEN,BCSENG,CLOUD9}::RYANwoods@hao.UUCP (Greg Woods) (06/04/85)
> I guess this leads to a more general question, since I'm a bit hazy on > interference: What constitutes interference by a baserunner? By a > fielder? Generally, it is a judgment call by the ump. The rule is that under normal conditions the runner has a right to be in the basepath and the fielder must keep out of his way. However, if in the ump's judgment the runner makes a *deliberate* attempt to interfere with the fielder, he can be called out even if he stays in the baseline. --Greg -- {ucbvax!hplabs | allegra!nbires | decvax!noao | harpo!seismo | ihnp4!noao} !hao!woods CSNET: woods@NCAR ARPA: woods%ncar@CSNET-RELAY "...I may not be right but I've never been wrong It seldom turns out the way it does in the song..."