Offensive interference

[danmcc]

This is a play that there is some disagreement as to the correct call, thought I would post it here for some answers or debate.

Bases loaded one out.
Hard hit grounder to short hits the baserunner from second to third.

I initially score it as a fielders choice because without the interference a baserunner would have been out if not the batter on a 6-3.
The coach corrects me that it is scored as a base hit.

In play
Hit single
What happened to runner on third, held up
What happened to runner on second, out, offensive interference
What happened to runner on first, second, advanced by batter
Batter held up.

So the controversy is the runner on third and fielders choice vs hit.
The ump returns the runner to third, as the OI is a dead ball, therefore no advancement. However some feel that if a base hit is awarded then the lead runner should advance as did the runner from first.

[OhioTex]

(Will assume dead ball is correct call,ie the Ball had not been touched by infielder or passed the infielders..aka , defense potentially had a play)


We have debated the hit/ fielders choice before I believe. here are the citations that I think govern this..


MLB rule 5.09.f clarifies runners go back unless forced

MLB rule 6.08.d gives the batter/runner first, forces runner on to second,

MLB 7.08 f is very clear runner hit by ball is out and no runners score.

MLB 10.05.a.5. gives batter the hit in this situation

MLB 10.05.b.5 does not credit a hit if runner interferes with fielder.

MLB
7.08 Any runner is out when—
...
(f) He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead and no runner may score, nor runners advance, except runners forced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touching his base when touched by an Infield Fly, he is not out, although the batter is out;

5.09 The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when—
...
(f) A fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced.

If a fair ball goes through, or by, an infielder, no other infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball and the ball touches a runner immediately behind the infielder that the ball went through, or by, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out. If a fair ball touches a runner after being deflected by an infielder, the ball is in play and the umpire shall not declare the runner out;

MLB
6.08 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when—
...
(d) A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder.
If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including the pitcher, the ball is in play.

MLB
10.05 Base Hits
A base hit is a statistic credited to a batter when such batter reaches base safely, as set forth in this Rule 10.05.
(a) The official scorer shall credit a batter with a base hit when:
....
(5) a fair ball that has not been touched by a fielder touches a runner or an umpire, unless a runner is called out for having been touched by an Infield Fly, in which case the official scorer shall not score a hit; or

MLB 10.05
(b) The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a:
(5) runner is called out for interference with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, unless in the scorer’s judgment the batter-runner would have been safe had the interference not occurred.

[danmcc]

Nice Ohiotex, it is pretty clear cut it seems.

You assumed correctly that the ball hit the runner well before a fielder had a chance to make a play.

[TurboAg]

I like the shotgun approach, OhioTex. That should pretty well cover all the bases.

[PetroGuy]

I like the shotgun approach, OhioTex. That should pretty well cover all the bases.

So the bases are loaded again?

[OhioTex]

just adding my two dozen cents..