Another rule question

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Here is the situation. Batter swings at the third strike. Catcher drops the ball. Batter runs to first slightly inside the frist base line (in the field of play). Catcher throws to first and the ball bounces twice before it gets to first and the batter beats it there. The umpire calls the runner out for running in the field of play. Does the thrown ball have to hit the batter/runner before interference can be called or is the batter/runner out for impeding the throw? A baseball umpire told me that the ball has to hit the runner before they can be called out and I did not know if that is correct and if the rules are different for baseball and softball. Bretman, you out there? :-?

 

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You can look these up as Bretman stated on coaches under legal pitches. Website umpre softball links. You cannot look up ASA. NSA and USSSA out!. NSA is page 129 8.7.e. This is a judgement call and if you are outside the line he can call you out in his judgement. If you are hit by the ball, yes you are out, if you are left of the line.

 

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I will take a stab at this. Runner is out. You don't need to be hit by the ball. By running in fair territory you are hindering the catcher's attempt to make a play - hence - interference.

 

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Follow-up question: Similar situation, except a bunt; the runner is running on the line (left foot on the line, right foot outside), is she still out?

 

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even in those cases where there is only 1 base instead of the orange base in foul territory?

 

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Sorry, there was a second (orange) base, and she ran to it. There was no runner's lane drawn, however.

 

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This one could generate a long post, but it's late and I'll try to keep it short! ?

This rule is basically the same in both baseball and softball. The batter-runner (B/R) may not run outside the three-foot running lane AND interfere with the fielder taking the throw.

Notice the big "AND" in that sentence. Both things must happen before the B/R is out for interference. Also notice that the B/R must interfere with the fielder taking the throw at the bag. Not with the throw itself, or the catcher's ability to make the play- with the fielder.

Some possible scenarios:

- The B/R may legally run outside the lane. Unless she interferes with the fielder taking the throw she is not automatically out.

- The B/R can be hit with the throw and as long as she is in the lane, she is not out.

- The B/R could run outside the lane, be hit with the throw, but the umpire can rule that the throw was uncatchable by the fielder, and the B/R would not be out.

Applying the rule to the play in the first post: Did the B/R interfere with the fielder taking the throw? Apparently not, as the fielder was able to cleanly glove the ball. Therefore, she cannot be called out for simply running outside the lane and this is not interference. On this play, I have the runner safe at first base.

 

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Additional notes for follow-up posts:

- Even if the running lane is not marked, the rule is still in effect, the same as if a batter's box or foul line was not properly chalked-out.

- Different rule sets have varying interpretations of what constitutes "being out of the lane".

For instance, under ASA rules any part of the B/R hanging over the line is considered as "out of the running lane". The B/R could have both feet within the lines, but if her arm or shoulder is over the line, that body part is considered "out of the lane".

In high school rules, the B/R is not considered out of the running lane until one foot lands on the ground entirely outside of the lines.