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From: [email protected] (Len Reed)
Subject: Re: Rule Book Trivia 2
Organization: Holos Software, Inc.
Lines: 45

In article <[email protected]> Ryan Robbins  writes:

>Rule 7.09(k) states: "It is interference by a batter or runner when -
>in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base
>... he runs outside the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of)
>the foul line and, in the umpire's judgment, interferes with the field-
>er taking the throw at first base..."
>
>The key word in the rule is "and." A runner isn't out just for running
>out of the baseline. He's out for interfering with the fielding of the
>ball or throw or fielding of the throw to first. Because the catcher
>opted to throw the ball over the batter-runner's head, there's no inter-
>ference.

Sorry, I still don't buy it.  You're certainly right that the runner is
not out merely for running out of the baseline: he must interfere with
the play.  But the argument here is over what constitutes interference.
You certainly cannot infer from what you've quoted that the batter-runner
must be hit by the ball to be guilty of interference: you haven't posted
a definition of interference at all.

IMO this calls for one of the "approved ruling[s]" that go in small print
in the rulebook.  Something like:

APPROVED RULING:
If in the judgement of the umpire the runner, by running to the left
of the allowed path, caused the fielder to make a bad throw, blocks the
vision of the fielder receiving the throw, or otherwise impedes the
defensive team's making a play on him, the batter-runner shall be
judeged guilty of interference.

or

APPROVED RULING:
The runner cannot be judged guilty of interference in the unless he makes
contact with a fielder or is hit by the thrown ball.

--
In the absence of such an approved ruling I claim that this is a poor
rules trivia question--since it cannot be authoritatively answered.
-- 
Len Reed
Holos Software, Inc.
Voice: (404) 496-1358 ext. 16
Domain: [email protected]   UUCP: [email protected]