You Make The Call

[HudsonHawk]

Last night in Denial League...runner on 2B, two out. Batter hits a grounder to SS, runner breaks for 3B, but slows down as the ball passes him, no contact with the ball or fielder, but the runner does shield the ball from the SS. Ball rolls up the SS's arm. Do you call interference?

[Mr. Happy]

Last night in Denial League...runner on 2B, two out. Batter hits a grounder to SS, runner breaks for 3B, but slows down as the ball passes him, no contact with the ball or fielder, but the runner does shield the ball from the SS. Ball rolls up the SS's arm. Do you call interference?

Was the runner's shielding the SS a by-product of trying to avoid the baseball? If so, I don't think that is interference.

[HudsonHawk]

Was the runner's shielding the SS a by-product of trying to avoid the baseball? If so, I don't think that is interference.

The runner, of course, says he was trying to avoid the ball. Looked like it was deliberate, but hard to say for sure. And remember, "intention" is irrelevant to interference.

[BudGirl]

The runner, of course, says he was trying to avoid the ball. Looked like it was deliberate, but hard to say for sure. And remember, "intention" is irrelevant to interference.

your team or the other?

[Mr. Happy]

The runner, of course, says he was trying to avoid the ball. Looked like it was deliberate, but hard to say for sure. And remember, "intention" is irrelevant to interference.

Then it's a judgment call for the umpire.

[chuck]

Wait, was the shift on?

[Bench]

Doesn't "hinder" in the rules refer to physical contact with the ball or fielder?  What rule applies interference to this situation?

[NeilT]

Doesn't "hinder" in the rules refer to physical contact with the ball or fielder?  What rule applies interference to this situation?

I never thought it required physical interference, so that blocking the fielder's view would also count.

[jbm]

I never see interference called on that, at least as I am envisioning your scenario.

[HudsonHawk]

The umpire ruled interference, so instead of having 1st and 3rd with two out, it ended the inning. My team was in the field, so we were the recipient of the ruling. I still think it was a bad call, and I would not have called it.

[HudsonHawk]

Doesn't "hinder" in the rules refer to physical contact with the ball or fielder?  What rule applies interference to this situation?

By the rule, it doesn't matter if the runner is trying to avoid the ball or if he's standing in the baseline doing jumping jacks.  Intent is irrelevant.  So it comes down to what is "hinder"?  The rulebook doesn't say.  Of course it's a judgment call.  I have a hard time ruling interference without contact or at least forcing the fielder to deviate from his path towards the ball.

[Bench]

By the rule, it doesn't matter if the runner is trying to avoid the ball or if he's standing in the baseline doing jumping jacks.  Intent is irrelevant. 

Rule 7.08(b) Any runner is out when ... [h]e intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball;

Rule 7.08(b) Comment: A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not.

That's a well placed semi-colon. 

So it comes down to what is "hinder"?  The rulebook doesn't say.  Of course it's a judgment call.  I have a hard time ruling interference without contact or at least forcing the fielder to deviate from his path towards the ball.

I agree with you and wouldn't have made that call.  It's one thing if the runner is standing directly in the fielder's face obstructing his view, but if they're several feet apart I don't think the fielder has an inviolable right to an ideal sight line. 

[NeilT]

Now please explain obstruction to me.  Can a fielder intentionally line up in the base path and not move if the ball is batted in his direction?

[HudsonHawk]

Now please explain obstruction to me.  Can a fielder intentionally line up in the base path and not move if the ball is batted in his direction?

The runner is obligated to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batter ball. He can lineup wherever he wants. He cannot, however, impede the progress of a runner if he's not attempting to fold the ball. That's obstruction.

[chuck]

The runner is obligated to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batter ball. He can lineup wherever he wants. He cannot, however, impede the progress of a runner if he's not attempting to fold the ball. That's obstruction.

If you already know then why are you asking us?

[HudsonHawk]

If you already know then why are you asking us?

I was answering Neil's question about obstruction.

And I just thought this was interesting little baseball anecdote. If such an abstract discussion offends your neck sensibilities, by all means feel free to stay out of it.

[Outlawscotty]

Was it Jeter at SS?

[Dark Star]

I was answering Neil's question about obstruction.

And I just thought this was interesting little baseball anecdote. If such an abstract discussion offends your neck sensibilities, by all means feel free to stay out of it.

He meant that question in a happy way. He's a Panamanian, after all.

[Reuben]

No interference. Personally, I always try to screen the SS from the ball if I can while running by. Is that a dick move? I thought it was just part of a baserunner's job, like trying to break up a DP attempt.

[Bench]

No interference. Personally, I always try to screen the SS from the ball if I can while running by. Is that a dick move? I thought it was just part of a baserunner's job, like trying to break up a DP attempt.

I guess it's one of those unwritten rules in the sense that hinder isn't defined.  But it seems fair play to me.

[Lefty]

"This is Warner Fusselle with This Week In Baseball".

[Outlawscotty]

Is there a rule about a pitcher, starting or otherwise, that once the manager signals for relief, can't stay on the mound and speak to the incoming pitcher?  I've never seen it happen and thought that maybe there could be an advantage to doing so. 

[HudsonHawk]

Is there a rule about a pitcher, starting or otherwise, that once the manager signals for relief, can't stay on the mound and speak to the incoming pitcher?  I've never seen it happen and thought that maybe there could be an advantage to doing so. 

No, the manager can talk to the incoming pitcher.  However, once the manager leaves the pitcher's circle, he's concluded his mound visit and stepping back inside starts a new mound visit and the rules that apply. 

[Outlawscotty]

I got that part of the rule. I'm asking about the exiting pitcher.

[HudsonHawk]

I got that part of the rule. I'm asking about the exiting pitcher.

He can, but why? 

[Reuben]

He can, but why? 

To make sure he sees that brunette in the 4th row?

[Bench]

He can, but why? 

To tell him about the candlesticks.

[Outlawscotty]

I don't know....pep talk, strategy, behind the plate flashing, whatever.  I just asked because I've never seen it.  

[Mr. Happy]

I don't know....pep talk, strategy, behind the plate flashing, whatever.  I just asked because I've never seen it.  

The coach pulling the hook usually has nothing to say to the exiting pitcher, but he can talk to him.

[Outlawscotty]

The exiting pitcher talking to the entering pitcher.............?

[HudsonHawk]

I don't know....pep talk, strategy, behind the plate flashing, whatever.  I just asked because I've never seen it.  

A pep talk from a guy who just got yanked probably won't be too productive.

[Outlawscotty]

I don't know why I feel the need to respond but what if it wasn't a yanking for a bad performance?  What if it was an 8 2/3 deal, winning,  with an unfavorable matchup?  Just imagine if you will......

[HudsonHawk]

I don't know why I feel the need to respond but what if it wasn't a yanking for a bad performance?  What if it was an 8 2/3 deal, winning,  with an unfavorable matchup?  Just imagine if you will......

To answer your question, yes it's legal. But there's a reason you don't see it much.

[Mr. Happy]

I don't know why I feel the need to respond but what if it wasn't a yanking for a bad performance?  What if it was an 8 2/3 deal, winning,  with an unfavorable matchup?  Just imagine if you will......

What do you think that the coach says as he asks for the baseball? There was always at least a "good job, kid" even when I sucked.

[Mr. Happy]

To answer your question, yes it's legal. But there's a reason you don't see it much.

The catcher, who did the game prep on the hitters, knows more about what the incoming pitcher needs to know for him to get outs. There's really no reason for the exiting pitcher to say anything to the incoming pitcher.

[Outlawscotty]

Oswalt gets pulled.  Waits on the mound for Lidge to come in.  Says something to the effect of 'Strike this next dick out' or 'Don't pitch him inside.'  I don't see why that is so out of line. 

[Outlawscotty]

The catcher, who did the game prep on the hitters, knows more about what the incoming pitcher needs to know for him to get outs. There's really no reason for the exiting pitcher to say anything to the incoming pitcher.

OK, this is an answer I can see.  Thanks.  Otherwise, can the pitcher stay and peptalk/rally?

[HudsonHawk]

The catcher, who did the game prep on the hitters, knows more about what the incoming pitcher needs to know for him to get outs. There's really no reason for the exiting pitcher to say anything to the incoming pitcher.

Except maybe to say "you fuck up this three-run lead and my 20th win, I'll stab you in the face with a soldering iron."

[HudsonHawk]

OK, this is an answer I can see.  Thanks.  Otherwise, can the pitcher stay and peptalk/rally?

Again...yes, he can.

[Mr. Happy]

OK, this is an answer I can see.  Thanks.  Otherwise, can the pitcher stay and peptalk/rally?

I can only speak for myself, but I usually had nothing to offer as a suggestion to the incoming pitcher, and I was usually exhausted and wanted to get into the dugout/clubhouse as quickly as I could. Also, don't forget that the incoming and exiting pitchers may be quite different in their approaches, e.g., a soft-tossing lefty like Dallas Keuchel being replaced by a righty bringing the cheese like FIELDS!!!