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runner out on close ground ball

2016/7/15 17:47:58


Question
Hello,
We recently played in a tourney this past weekend in the championship game, bottom of the seventh and something happened that no one could understand, not even the opposing team. The bases were loaded and a hard liner was hit toward the second baseman. The runner on 1st left the base after the release of the pitch and was running cleanly toward second. The ball was hit so hard that the runner had to avoid being hit and jumped over the ball to advance to second base. The second baseman was 2 ft. behind where the runner jumped over the ball and was not even close to the runner.
The ball did get through the second basemans mit, everyone advanced with one scoring and the girl appeared safe at 2nd. The umpire quickly called the run good, but the girl at 2nd was out. He said ASA rules say that you can not jump over a hit ball. He also said that jumping over the ball can intimidate the fielder, hurting her chances of stopping the ball. If she slowed down, ran out of the way of the ball she would have either been hit or possibly out. I can see if my runner was close to her or actually hit her, but that was not the case at all. I had the other ump talk to him, but they both agreed and the play stood. That play was a back breaker for us. Can you please shead some light on this?
Thank you,
Barry

Answer
Hello Barry

One of the umpire experts probably could answer this question better that I however this is what I think:

I know of no such ASA rule that says it illegal for a base runner to jump over a batted ball to avoid being hit.  

Base runner interference is a judgment call.

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.

So if in the umpire抯 judgment the base runner jumping over the ball interfered with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball they are out.  
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