Baserunning interference ?

Question
In a recent ASA U12 girls game, our runner(r1) was advancing from 1B to 2B on a ground ball to the second baseman. Her path crossed the path of the ball without making contact with the ball and she made no attempt to feint or block vision of the ball to the defender. The second baseman did not cleanly field the ball and all runners were safe. The umpire ruled r1 out for interference. Is that the correct ruling and what section # in the 2006 rule book refers to this situation?

T

Answer
Hi Jim,
Interference has many entries in the book but is mostly in rule 8 and poe 33


I had a very similar question a months ago and this was my answer....  


Interference is defined as the act of an offensive player which impedes, hinders or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play.  Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field without being hindered.

Intererence does not have to be intentional (except in certain specific situations).  

This is a difficult question because in this case it is strictly the umpire's judgement as to the defensive player being hindered, impeded or confused.  The fact that your daughter was in the baseline doesn't matter.  The rule provides that a runner  must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make a play on a batted ball unless the runner has contact with a legally occupied base.  There is no rule that the runner must stop, etc. but they cannot (even unintentionally) hinder etc.

We have all seen runners jump over, around and under batted balls without interference being called. I would not call a runner out simply because they were running in front of the play (there are so many variables, ie position and/or speed of the ball, the runner, the defensive player etc.) BUT a combination of factors could make a call of interference the right call.

In this case, I'm sorry to say "I would have to see it".

Mark