To slide or not to slide

Question
Mark, I saw this in a recent H.S.  softball game.  R1 on first and BR hits a grounder to the SS.  (typical double play ball). The short shop flips it to the second basemen who catches the ball and while standing on the bag, wheels and throws it to first.  A fan immediately starts yelling that it's interference on R1 because coming into second she was standing up and did not slide. (there was no collition at second by the way. Is R1 by rule suppose to slide in a situation like that?  Also, what if the second basemen received the ball at second, took a step off and couldn't get an accurate throw off because R1 came in standing and in her line of throw.?

Answer
Hi Steve,

here's an answer i gave to a very similar question a short time ago.


First of all there must be an opportunity for the defense to make a play (get an out).  If the b-r has or is about to touch 1st and no out is possible you cannot have interference.

Too add to your q, there seems to be a great deal of confusion with some players re what constitutes interference on this particular play.

The runner that is put out must not do any "ACT" to cause interference.  There is no "get out of the way rule", written or unwritten that a good umpire looks for, it is the "act"  Therefore the premise in q is incorrect that a retired runner who "fails to clear the base path after being forced out" is an act of interference.

If they move into the infield or out into the outfield and the defense positions themselves and their throw there, it is interference if a play is possible, they committed an "act", intent is NOT a factor.  So moving to "clear the basepath" actually puts the runner in jeopardy to commit an act of interference.

As we all know the runner cannot simply disappear. The runner can continue on their path toward the base they were going to, mindful not to commit an act, such as throwing up their arms, in some cases colliding with the defensive player, ect.  Should they simply be hit by a throw while in that position it is not interference.


The defense can and should move their throw inside or outside of the normal track of the runner in their attempt to complete the dp

I'll add that sliding is never required and that failure to slide is in itself not a reason to call interference.

Mark