AboutDr. Mark R. Ambrose Expertise I can answer all questions about book rules and "case book" rules governing the playing of ASA softball. Have a REAL situation that happened and are not sure the proper rule was applied, ask me.
Experience I am a registered ASA umpire, a MASA "At-Large" umpire since 1996 and a retired District Umpire-In-Chief. I have very extensive experience in MASA State Championship and ASA national qualifying tournament play both as an umpire and an Umpire-In-Chief. I completed 3 ASA National Schools including the ASA national advanced umpire school in Ok City("Bernie" for those who know him was the lead clinician, I survived the week and couldn't let my kids watch the game tapes when I got home. No, I love you Bernie). I was one of 4 "Yankee" umpires selected to umpire the Men's D National East Championship in 2002 in Winter Haven FL
Organizations Amateur Softball Association (The authority in softball)
Please clarify correct ruling for the following and please consider how the ruling changes with slightly different factors:
No outs and no one on base. The batter hits a fair ball (not very high) pop-up on the right field side, between home and first base, and along the first base line. The first baseman has a possible play on the ball. The pitcher has a questionable play on the ball. The pitcher, while looking up, runs directly into the batter-runner from the side and slightly behind. Both the batter-runner and the pitcher fall to the ground from the impact. The first baseman drops the ball and the batter-runner gets up and runs safely to first base. It is clear the batter-runner could not have seen the pitcher. And while looking up the pitcher didn't see the batter-runner.
How should this be called?
And considering alternate possibilities:
When would this be considered obstruction?
When would this be considered interference?
If both the first baseman and the pitcher both had a clear play on the ball, does the batter-runner need to consider the pitcher in order to avoid interference even though the pitcher is approaching form somewhat behind the batter-runner and definitely out of the line of sight of the batter-runner?
If the pitcher clearly does not have a play on the ball is this an obstruction?
I guess what I am asking is where is the line between obstruction and interference when there are two "possible" defensive players involved and a collision when the contact is from "somewhat behind" the batter-runner (and clearly out of the line of sight of the batter-runner)?
How "clear" does it have to be whether the pitcher has a play or does not have a play? Do you consider that the pitcher has a play only if he can make the play with "ordinary effort?"
What needs to take place for either the obstruction or interference call?
Am I making sense?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Answer Hi Dale,
If the pitcher had no play w/ ordinary effort I would have obstruction. However if the ball is caught by F3 the obstruction would be canceled and the b-r would be out. This is only between home and 1st on a caught fly ball. If the ball was not caught and is fair I would protect the runner to 1st base.
If the pitcher did have a play I would have a difficult time calling interference on the b-r being collided with from the side and behind as they attempt to advance to 1st. I would probably have nothing on that and let them play on.
Most of what you ask is the umpire's judgment on actually seeing the play
