Interference? Obstruction? Nothing?

What is your call Blue?

[joem]

Softball may have different rules... But in little league I would judge the short stop is the projected fielder, with a right to the ball. Interference. I thought maybe there was also obstruction on the 3rd base fielder, but on second watch I don't think so. Plus the play should already be dead at that point.

[MH-Tesla]

Little League softball and baseball have the same obstruction and interference rules. Therefore, this is interference by the runner. Umpires likely just didn't see it clearly enough in real time.

[madaamstier]

First who is the protected fielder making the initial play on the ball? I would say it’s still the shortstop even though sometimes it can be the third baseman cutting across to pick it up. Then the next question is was the fielder hindered or confused physically or verbally on making the initial play on the ball. In my judgement the shortstop was hindered having to slow down and get by the runner in the way in order to field the ball. That results in interference, dead ball, runner is out and place the batter runner at first for fielders choice.

[Ken-mnip]

Agreed it is interference and play is dead and runners can not advance further. Runner can not hinder a fielder (1st fielder) making a play on a ball.
However, had the 3B been closer and made a play on the ball then there would not have been interference as a play would have been made in front of the 'interfered' fielder.

[altonweaver]

Good call. The defense has first “right” in this action.

[Jason-os]

Cheer~~~the action of interfering or the process of being interfered with.😅

[Quidproxo]

Can’t say for sure in softball but if that were baseball that’s interference.

[deankirkpatrick]

Huh? "Interference so the run scores" WTF is that a softball thing?

[Scottman]

It is tough to judge looking at one play. Does the third baseman typically make this play and the umpire determined her to be the safe fielder? Did the third baseman call for the ball? Without knowing this info and background I cannot make a call on this play.

[darrenhopper]

Offensive interferience, runner from second is out, dead ball, all runners return to the base they previously occupied.

[TheDjcarter]

There is only one question you need to ask the umpire...who did you have as the protected fielder on that play...once they answer the decision makes itself. Except for maybe where to place the runner if it is obstruction but I don't think you could give her any base but 3rd she had no chance to make it home

[a_doggo]

I'd have called no interference on that - she did a good job of getting out of the way, but I'd back an umpire who decided to call it. That's a quick batter-runner, too. She didn't have it.

[GoombaHere]

It’s def NOT obstruction on the SS Because she is allowed to be in the base path if she is making a play on a batted ball which she clearly is.

Interference is A runner who interferes with a fielder executing a playin a batted ball. A runner proceeding to the next base may run in front of a fielder or jump over the ball without committing interference even though it may be distracting to the fielder.
That’s the question. Hard to tell if there was contact but based on what I see here I would have called interference because the SS was hindered on her way to make the play on the batter ball.

Keep in mind that once the ball passes and infielder (except pitcher) or touches an infielder interference is then off the table. Example 3rd baseman is up playing a bunt, ball passes her then runner makes unintentional contact with SS. In this case it’s close but it appears that this ball does not pass the 3rd baseman b4 interference by the runner.

IMO I would say this is interference however it wasn’t initially called and interference is not reviewable..

[goodmaro]

It's a nothing. The defense got their ONE protected infielder, the 3B. In effect the defense as a team made their choice by having the 3B try to play the ball first. The batted ball got past the 3B, so obstruction is off. However, the batted ball was still in play, and the SS had the right to play it by being where she was while trying to retire a different runner, so it's not interference either.

[CoachCorey-nvsf]

Good ump bc the fielder went right, then went left to get the ball, seemed somewhat intentional, but maybe coached to get around the ball. No foul here.

[garygemmell]

It's interference. There is no provision in the rules in case the fielder makes the play anyways.

[perrytilton]

Offensive interference. R2 is out, R3 goes back, BR is on first.

[lanem]

Interference by the runner. Here I would say the runner "Impeded" the defensive player in making a play on the ball. The runner must give way to a fielder making a play on a ball. Runner doesn't get protection in their "basepath". Dead ball, runner is OUT, return R3 to 3rd. Still will have bases loaded. (looks like we had less than 2 out).

[djs]

Interference if she touched the SS..doesn’t matter if it was intentional or not

[Kash_and_Tait]

In baseball it’s an interference on the runner. I don’t know about softball.