You make the call - #2

Runner on 1b. Batter hits low line drive towards 2b. 2B moves to make play on ball. Runner runs IN FRONT of fielder, straddle jumps over ball, 2B forced to move slightly back to avoid collision with base runner, ball tips glove, no play. Runners safe on 1st and 2nd.

 

R1 is out for interference and the BR is awarded first base, if the fielder had to check up to avoid being run into by the runner.

FYI contact with the fielder is not always necessary for interference, (edited - but it sure makes it an easier sell.)

 

Added thought: If not for the runner, would have been a clear double play

 

That doesn't matter. To call 2 outs on this play the runner would have to intentionally interfer with the fielder or the ball.

[added: The runner in the OP is just running the bases and hurdled the ball as to not get hit. So no intent.]

 

only question I would have, was 2nd baseman at d/p depth... runner is entitled to her running lane, which is a clear path from base a to base b.

2nd baseman should have been more aggressive and established position. why did she avoid collision?
contact would have created a dead ball out with interference on the base runner.

 

The runner is not entitled to a clear path, if the fielder is making the intial play on a batted ball. The runner must avoid the fielder and the ball, or be in jeopardy of being called out for interference. The basepath does not protect the runner from a fielder making the initial play on a batted ball.

I agree F4 should have been more agressive, but that has no bearing on the rule. R1 in the OP impeded F4 which is grounds for interference. Although contact would make this an easier sell, we don't get paid to make the easy calls.

 

Variation on this scenario

Let's change the scenario to something I observed in a recent game. Batter hits to second baseman who attempts to field the ball just behind the baseline. The fielder misplays the ball, boots it with her foot into the baseline, and moves forward to get it. By this time, the runner coming from 1B already has committed to running in front of the fielder. When the fielder moves forward to retrieve the booted ball, she and the runner collide. The ball remains on the ground and the runner manages to crawl the remaining few feet to 2B without being tagged or forced out.

The umpire calls interference and the runner is out. Correct call?

 

Correct call, initial play is a softball rule term that includes within a step and reach of the batted ball. So a fielder making the initial play or within a step and reach of a batted ball booted or not is protected by the rules.

 

here is the NCAA rule, which is what I play under.

ref rule 12.26.1 note exceptions

12.26 Running Out of the Base Path or Out of the Runner’s
Lane
12.26.1 The traditional path traveled by a runner who is attempting to advance to the next base is defined by the imaginary direct line, and three feet to either side of the line, between a base and a runner’s position at the time a defensive player is attempting to apply a tag.
EFFECT—The ball is live. The offending runner is out, but each other
runner may continue to advance with liability to be put out.

Exceptions:
1. A runner is not out when she runs behind or in front of a
fielder and outside the base line in order to avoid interfering
with the fielder attempting to field the ball in the base path.

2. The runner is not out when she fails to run in a direct line
to a base, provided the fielder in the direct line does not have the
ball in her possession.


in addition...

rule 12.19.1 The base runner may not interfere with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
For example:
12.19.1.1 The base runner may not contact a fair batted ball, while off
base, before it touches a fielder or before it passes an infielder (other
than the pitcher) who has a reasonable chance to make a play.
12.19.1.2 The base runner may not contact an untouched, fair batted ball
after it passes an infielder if another fielder has a chance to make a
play.
12.19.1.3 The base runner may not intentionally kick a ball that an
infielder has missed.
12.19.1.4 Physical contact by the base runner with a fielder attempting to
field a fair batted ball shall be interference, provided the fielder had a
reasonable chance to make a play and was prevented from doing so.
Note: If both players’ actions are appropriate to the situation and contact
could not be avoided, it is inadvertent contact and neither interference nor
obstruction.
12.19.1.4.1 When the defensive player, while watching the flight of a
ball, bumps a runner who is standing on a base and fails to make a
catch on a catchable ball, the runner shall not be called out unless
the hindrance is intentional. 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 when the hindrance occurs.
This is an exception to the rule that defensive players must be
given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing
field without being hindered.

12.19.1.4.2 Merely running in front of the fielder or jumping over the
ball while proceeding to the next base is not interference, even
though it may be distracting to the fielder or screen her view of the
ball. The runner may not at any time unnecessarily wave her arms
or verbally distract the fielder.
12.19.1.4.3 It is still interference if a batted ball is misplayed and
remains in front of a fielder such that the fielder still has an
opportunity to make a play, and the runner contacts the fielder.
Exception: If the misplayed ball bounds away or past the fielder
and then contact occurs as the fielder and runner collide, this may
be considered inadvertent contact, interference or obstruction.

As you can see, there are many variations of what could happen, but the runner is allowed to run in front of the fielder. As in most cases without clear contact by the runner with the defensive player, interference or not be a judgment call by the ump.

 

The ASA rules specify that a runner is out when she "interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball." They also specify that a runner is obstructed when a fielder impedes the progress of the runner (1) when not in possession of the ball or (2) when "not in the act of fielding a batted ball" (emphasis added).

My question here is, why doesn't the batted ball become a booted ball (your term) or a misplayed ball once it strikes the fielder? When does the ball cease being a "batted" ball? when the player misplays it? when it strikes her glove? when she throws it to another fielder? when play becomes dead?

It seems to me that a ball is a batted ball so long as its movement has been caused by the bat, but when it's movement is caused by something other than the bat (e.g. a fielder's foot, glove, throw), it is no longer a "batted" ball.

While NCAA rules (12.19.1.4.3 quoted above) address this situation, I can't find it in the ASA rules . . . maybe you can point me in the right direction?