fast pitch softball and on deck circle
Question
i had an umpire call the batter out when the batter pop up a foul ball and the on deck batter did not get out of the way of the first baseman trying to catch the ball. the on deck batter did not try to get out of the circle but also did not try to interfer with the catch. is that the right call and why. also then how about the coach's box does he have to move also on a pop fly?
where are these rules in writing in the rule book?
thanks
coach ed
Answer
It's a valid rule and it's an umpire's judgment call.
The coaching box and on deck circle are not sanctuaries. Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball ANYWHERE on the playing field. It doesn't matter if the interference was intentional or not.
There are several different types of interference calls (i.e. batter, base runner, on-deck batter, coach, even spectators). In the judgment of the umpire if any of these types of interference occurs, the ball becomes dead, someone will be called out, and all base runners will return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.
You will find 搃nterference?defined under the 損oints of emphasis?pages of the ASA rule book. I have an old rule book but you should be able to look up 揑nterference?under the playing rules and POE index.
Baserunning, ASA
bunt coverage 1 and 3rd