dead ball or play on

Question
QUESTION: ASA men抯 softball
Runner at 1st and 2nd base, batter hits to the shortstop - picks up grounder and tags second for the first out throws to first.  The runner is ahead of the throw by a step and the ball is away from the bag to right field.  While the runner is beginning to slow the ball gets away from the first baseman.  The runner does not see the ball rolling from behind him and kicks the ball about 10' further down the line to right field.  The defense wanted a call of out on the runner.  The PU called dead ball and advanced the runner from third to home.  Runner on first remained on first.  My thought is this.  The play was messed up by the throw and first baseman and the runner made no attempt purposely kick the ball....so play on, ball is still live..


ANSWER: Hi Kerry,

"the runner made no attempt purposely kick the ball...."  If that's the honest case

"so play on, ball is still live.."  I agree, just as if B1 had been hit on a body part with the throw and the ball deflected.

Mark

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

QUESTION: just a little different play.   Ball was thrown from left field to home that went a little wide and hit the basecoach "who was in the box but not watching the throw" the play was going to be close even if it went a little wide right.   PU put the runner back on third.  Dead ball.
I was thinking the runner should be called out - the box is not a safe location he has to move or get out of the way.

Answer
Hi Kerry,

As we both know...Interference is the act of an offensive player OR team member that impedes, hinders or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a player.

While a thrown ball that unintentionally hits a coach is not interference, I believe the intent of the rule is for when the coach cannot avoid contact with the throw, not when they are there and make no attempt.  If they were watching the throw and did not move, what would you have?

In this play if in my judgment the coach interfered with a play at the plate, that's what we're going to have.  As you said the coach's box is not a sanctuary, just as the BB is not.

mark