Interference - good call/bad call?

This afternoon one of our girls was called out for interference. The play had nothing to do with the outcome of the game (we won 11 - 0) but I think they got the call backwards. Please set me straight...

Bases loaded, two outs. Ball is hit on the ground up the middle. Ball deflects of pitchers glove and goes towards second. Our girl was running from 1st to 2nd. The second baseman was playing deep and was headed to second to cover when she saw the ball get deflected. She started running in to field the ball and stopped like a foot away from second base in the base line. When she stopped our runner collided with her causing her to miss the ball. The ball did not contact our runner.

The plate umpire called our runner out. I asked why and he said that she had to avoid (he actually said go around) the fielder. I told him that was backwards. My girl was in the base line and does not have to avoid the fielder, the fielder has to avoid her. All the runner has to avoid is the ball. He said I was wrong and since it didn't matter I left it at that.

Two things...

Good call or bad call?

Isn't this the field umpires call? Can the plate umpire actually make this call?

 

Good Call

The runner has to avoid contact not the fielder. Also this is an easier call for the plate umpire because they are looking straight into the play where the base umpire has other things that they may need to be looking at.(like the batter runner touching 1st base). The interference rule states that the ball has to pass a fielder other than the pitcher before there would be no interference.

 

Good Call

Unlucky, but a good call. The fielder ALWAYS has priority on the initial play. The other problem I see is everyone thinks it is always one ump's call or the other. Either ump can make any call on the field. Usually mechanics dictate who should have the better angle to see the play and the other ump won't get involved unless appealled to. If the base ump is behind the ss and a throw pulls the 1b foot off the bag, sometimes, the only one who can see that is the plate ump. The base ump has the first call, but, the plate ump can overrule the call. A ball is fouled off the batters foot. Sometimes the base ump has the best view and should make the call. Either ump should call obs, interference, illegal pitch, runner leaving too soon, etc.

 

That's why...

...This Board Rocks! I was incorrect and that is good to know.

Just for my own curiosity, does this apply even if the infielder intentionally stops in the base path and waits on the ball to get to her?

Thanks again.

 

As long as the fielder...

is making an attempt to field a batted ball and the ball is coming in her direction the runner has to avoid a collision whether it be a grounder or a pop fly.