Coach Interference

Question
QUESTION: Hello Dr. Mark -

In a recent slow pitch game, we had runners on second (R1) and first (R2), bottom of the final inning, two outs and R2 represents the winning run.  A line drive was hit into left field and fell in front of the left fielder for a base hit.  R1 went to third, took a rather wide turn at third and headed home.  In the process, he bumped into the third base coach who was watching the left fielder to advise R1 whether there was going to be a throw.  As R2 represented the winning run, the left fielder elected to hold the ball to prevent R2 from possibly advancing to third - effectively conceding the tying run that R1 was scoring.

The umpire ruled "Coach Interference" and called R1 out, ending the game.  My understanding of the interference rule is that it is intended to deal with a player from one team in some way interfering with a player from the other team - preventing them from making a play.  In this case, the defensive team effectively conceded the run by not attempting to make a play on R1 at the plate and the third baseman was not involved in the play and had no contact whatsoever with either the runner or the third base coach, so I don't see how the umpire could have rightfully called interference.

As for assisting the runner (which he did not call and based on a follow-up conversation, did not intend to call), the third base coach, if anything, impeded R1 as they bumped into each other rather than helping him up, giving him a push or somehow stopping him from overrunning the base.

The umpire's explanation was that any contact between a base runner and a base coach constitutes coach interference and the batter is out.

I can't find anything referring to contact between a base runner and a base coach in the ASA rulebook other than 7.5 which states "An out is recorded: When anyone, other than another runner, physically "assists" the runner while the ball is in play.".

Any thoughts on the idea of coach interference?

Thanks,

Rick

ANSWER: Hi Rick,

Based on just your facts I don't have anything here, just a bump between and runner and coach.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.  So, just to be clear, you don't see anything in the rules which would cause the umpire to call the runner out based on the runner bumping into the base coach?

Am I understanding your response correctly?

Thanks again,

Rick

Answer
Hi Rick,

Yes as long as the coach did not assist the runner and it was just incidental contact.

"The umpire's explanation was that any contact between a base runner and a base coach constitutes coach interference and the batter is out."  this would be incorrect there is no such rule.

Mark