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laphroaig
Joined: 01/01/2005
Posts: 77,683
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laphroaig
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Runner should have run behind the fielder but runners first thought is the

base path - can't run outside the base path!!!! oh my!!. well, yes you can in certain situations. Here's another scenario - bases loaded with the infield up on the grass, in front of the base paths. Ball hit on the ground between 3rd baseman and shortstop, grounder goes past where the fielders were lined up, they are not fielding the ball because the ball is not in front of them anymore they are chasing the ball. 3rd baseman and runner from 2nd base have contact in the base path between 2nd base and 3rd base That's fielders interference on the runner because the fielder is not fielding the batted ball, he was chasing the batted ball.
Posted: 07/24/2026 at 10:00 AM ET
(In response to this post by GobblerCE)

Thread Replies (49)

Full Thread →
What a terrible way to end a LL Regional game
VTChip • 07/23/26 07:06 PM ET
Here’s a screenshot of the call
VTChip • 07/23/26 07:12 PM ET
Contact isn't necessary and neither is intent to distract by the runner. **
laphroaig • 07/24/26 12:02 PM ET
Distraction. Though on a force play, runner should have right
VAHokie89 • 07/24/26 10:52 AM ET
I don't think there is a softball or baseball rulebook that agrees with
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 11:06 AM ET
I did not use the term absolute right of way
VAHokie89 • 07/24/26 12:33 PM ET
Nor can you hinder or impede a fielder fielding an initial batted ball,
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 12:41 PM ET
I know……..**
VAHokie89 • 07/24/26 12:41 PM ET
Good, so I've gotten you to change your mind from your initial post above.**
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 12:44 PM ET
No. Never min. You took my original post past any intended, communicated
VAHokie89 • 07/24/26 04:18 PM ET
You are correct. There isn't a rulebook that states that.**
laphroaig • 07/24/26 12:00 PM ET
In fairness, a still shot re: an umpire's judgment call on interference or
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:24 AM ET
This?
TomTurkey • 07/23/26 09:04 PM ET
"changes the fielder's attempt" - that's what happened here.**
laphroaig • 07/24/26 09:37 AM ET
Yeah, I will say Little League's interference rule may make it an even
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:47 AM ET
Other than a visual distraction, I don't see any issue
VTChip • 07/23/26 09:31 PM ET
How much money did you have on Nevada?**
LTHokie • 07/24/26 06:42 AM ET
So there was a distraction.**
laphroaig • 07/23/26 10:08 PM ET
Like pornography, we know when we see it! 😉**
TomTurkey • 07/24/26 04:45 PM ET
Here's the play from ESPN
VTChip • 07/23/26 11:07 PM ET
What's interesting to me is you immediately see the 3rd base umpire signal
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:30 AM ET
I thought the fielder checked up
Nova Hokie 95 • 07/24/26 10:57 AM ET
Yours is a reasonable judgment. That 3rd base umpire is obviously very good
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 11:04 AM ET
I think I've mentioned to you ...
Nova Hokie 95 • 07/24/26 11:09 AM ET
Northern Virginia treats softball umpires pretty well. I've certainly had
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 11:16 AM ET
I found when an umpires hustles, the fans appreciate the work. The ump who
laphroaig • 07/24/26 11:52 AM ET
Agree, no call ....
hokietony • 07/24/26 08:42 AM ET
Contact certainly not required, it's just more common for youth players to
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:38 AM ET
Youth don't know the game like experienced players. Makes officiating the
laphroaig • 07/24/26 11:56 AM ET
Distraction can be enough but there was more than distraction in this case.
laphroaig • 07/24/26 09:35 AM ET
The runner actually took a path to avoid the fielder ....
hokietony • 07/24/26 10:15 AM ET
Took the front path, should have taken the back path. The fielder could
laphroaig • 07/24/26 10:27 AM ET
And the fielder could back up to get a bounce. Thus IIWII. Then the call..
TomTurkey • 07/25/26 11:40 AM ET
As a former hi school ump, I'm good with that call. Runner caused the
laphroaig • 07/24/26 04:05 AM ET
Yeah, I don't think the television angle gives great evidence of that but
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:32 AM ET
Video gave plenty of evidence to make the call.**
laphroaig • 07/24/26 11:43 AM ET
I'm seeing the same thing you are. Painful all around but I agree.**
GobblerCE • 07/24/26 09:39 AM ET
Runner should have run behind the fielder but runners first thought is the ◄
laphroaig • 07/24/26 10:00 AM ET
Didn't see the play....
2hhoop3 • 07/24/26 09:05 AM ET
An umpire protects 1 fielder who has an absolute right to field an initial
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:35 AM ET
Correct. Runner may be in her base path but her timing and placement
laphroaig • 07/24/26 11:45 AM ET
The runner must allow the fielder to field the ball. If a runner standing
laphroaig • 07/24/26 09:28 AM ET
Thanks......
2hhoop3 • 07/24/26 09:53 AM ET
It's why runners on 3rd stand or lead off in foul territory.**
TomTurkey • 07/24/26 01:44 PM ET
Yeah, but they're out of the base path! :-)**
laphroaig • 07/24/26 04:14 PM ET
As an ump, I allowed 2-3 feet on the basepath thingy. Some swing out farthr
TomTurkey • 07/24/26 04:42 PM ET
Ummmm, that's the only time the 3 foot base path rule applies is when a tag
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 04:55 PM ET
Or any path they must to avoid the fielder. It doesn't have to be a
laphroaig • 07/25/26 05:46 AM ET
Pretty much. Not saying I ruled on the free lance runner.
TomTurkey • 07/24/26 04:59 PM ET
There may be some codes in baseball / softball that does protect a runner
BG Hokie • 07/24/26 10:36 AM ET