With no outs, R1leaves 1B on a line drive hit fo F9. F9 catches the ball in the air for the out and throws the ball to 1B trying to get the returning runner (R1). R1 goes back to 1B stabding up and has a collision with the first baseman. The thrown ball goes by the first baseman and into the dugout. R1 advances to 2B. Was there interference at 1B? Should the runner have slid back into 1B, or is he allowed to make contact with the 1B fielder? Thank you.

Randall.. this is a tough scenario to answer without actually seeing the play.. this is the umpires judgment as to how the play happened.. was the fielder standing on the base just waiting for the throw from the F9?? If so I would have Obstruction on the fielder.. the fielder is not allowed to stand or touch the bag until he is "ACTAUALLY RECEIVING" the ball .. if the fielder was attempting to catch the ball and the collision occured I would have Interference ..again this is the judgment of the umpire as to where the thrown ball was when the runner collided with the fielder

BJ,

the fielder is not allowed to stand or touch the bag until he is "ACTAUALLY RECEIVING" the ball

Show me that rule. A fielder on a force play which that is can get to the base before the runner and set up for the throw as long as he doesn't impede the runner from getting to the base. According to your rule on a ground ball to SS and he throws to 1B the 1B isn't allowed to get there until the ball is on the way. If the 1B gets to 1B before the SS fields the balls and starts his throw he is most certainly allowed to stand on 1B awaiting the ball.

JohnO28.. below it states it would be OBS if a fielder "does not have the ball" or is "not attempting to field a thrown ball".. if you read my answer again I also stated it would be INT. if the fielder was "attempting" to catch the ball and the collision occured .. AGAIN tough call and it's the judgment of the umpire of how he saw the play


8.4(10) • WHEN RUNNERS ARE ENTITLED TO ADVANCE
Runners are entitled to advance without liability to be put out:

When a runner, while advancing or returning to a base, is obstructed by a fielder who neither has the ball nor is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball, or a fielder who fakes a tag without the ball, the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction will always be awarded the base or bases that would have been reached, in the umpire's judgment, had there been no obstruction.

That is not what that says. Jezzus. The fielder is 100% allowed to set up to catch a ball prior to it being throw. Let me capitalize it this time for you.. "AS LONG AS HE DOESN'T BLOCK THE RUNNERS PATH TO RETURN TO THE BASE"... How are you actually an umpire and can't read simple rules?

So the call didn’t occur according to your feelings. B.J. is extremely respected and experienced. I totally agree with him based on what you said. Again it is a judgment call, and we would have to see it for any different answer. No, he can’t just block the runner’s path if not in the act of fielding a ball or in possession of it. Could possibly be a delayed dead ball call depending on the actual circumstances. Cursing him won’t change the rules.

This is a little different but, I believe still an "interference" issue. Occurred last week at Winter Nationals in Ft Myers. Situation: one out, man on first, L handed pull hitter at plate. Runner standing with both feet on white bag (he knows the batter!), batter smokes a one hopper down the line in fair territory which hits runner who keeps both feet on white bag when hit. Ball continues towards outfield in fair territory. NO call from single ump behind plate. First baseman retrieves ball and runs towards first and tags white bag. Ump calls batter OUT. Meanwhile, runner decided to advance towards second. He was easily thrown out. Double play, inning over. After this game I discussed with senior SSUSA umpire on site. She said correct call should have been -when runner on first hit while on bag it became a dead ball and play stopped. Runner should have been awarded second and the batter awarded first. No outs should have been called and our rally allowed to continue,
BUT ...

Jab, the SSUSA umpire you asked on site gave you the correct call..