RETIRED OFFENSIVE PLAYER
a) Prevents play on another runner: If a retired runner (or batter)
prevents a play in a double-play situation, the runner on whom the defense
would have played is out. If the umpire cannot determine on whom the fielder
would have played, the runner who has advanced nearest to home is out. The
umpire must judge that the defense could have completed the double play without
the interference.
Note: In OBR and NCAA the double play is automatic.
Play 6: R1 stealing. B1 strikes outs and interferes with the
catcher’s throw. Ruling: If the umpire judges the catcher could have thrown
out the runner, R1 is out. If he judges R1 had the base safely, the penalty
is: R1 must return.
Play 7: R1, R2. Double steal. B1 swings and misses for strike
three and interferes with the catcher as he comes up to throw. The umpire is
unsure whether F2 would have thrown to second or third. Ruling: R2 (nearest
home) is out.
Play 8: R2 stealing. B1 hits to shortstop, who throws to F5 covering
third for a tag out of R2. As the third baseman prepares to throw to first,
R2 interferes. Ruling: B1 is also out.
b) Continues to advance: A runner who continues to advance is not
automatically guilty of interference. He must commit some overt act, such
as drawing a throw by continuing to run after he knows he is out.
Play 9: R1. B1 hits to short, who forces out R1. The throw to
first is not in time and gets away from the first baseman. B1 hesitates, as
R1 gets up at second, then runs toward third and stops, heading back to second,
then toward third. The first baseman throws to F5. Ruling: R1's
actions are clearly designed to decoy F3 into playing on him. Interference by
a retired runner. IF B1 starts for second on the throw, the umpire should call
B1 out.
