AllSports12
Moderator
The purpose of the Force Play Slide Rule is to protect the safety of the fielders. The ball becomes dead immediately and the runner is out. If this violation occurs with less than two out, then the batter-runner is declared out as well.
Whether or not the double play would be completed or not is irrelevant.
Rule 8-4-2b (Penalty)
Any runner is out when he:
b) does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on aforce play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases;
PENALTY: The runner is out. Interference is called and the ball is dead immediately. On a force-play slide with less than two outs, the runner is declared out, as well as the batter-runner. Runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. With two outs, the runner is declared out. The batter is credited with a fielder’s choice.
If a runner interferes with a fielder attempting to make a play, then the umpire can declare two outs if in his judgement, the interference prevented a double play.
SITUATION D:
All bases are occupied with no outs when B4 hits a ground ball to F4. R1 runs into F4 as he is fielding the ball.
RULING:
The ball became dead when the interference occurred. R1 is declared out. If the umpire rules that F4 could have executed a double play, then the umpire shall declare 2 outs (the runner who interfered and the other runner or batter-runner involved). If the umpire rules that only one runner could have been put out, then only R1 is out. No runs may score and all runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference.
Whether or not the double play would be completed or not is irrelevant.
Rule 8-4-2b (Penalty)
Any runner is out when he:
b) does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or illegally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on aforce play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases;
PENALTY: The runner is out. Interference is called and the ball is dead immediately. On a force-play slide with less than two outs, the runner is declared out, as well as the batter-runner. Runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. With two outs, the runner is declared out. The batter is credited with a fielder’s choice.
If a runner interferes with a fielder attempting to make a play, then the umpire can declare two outs if in his judgement, the interference prevented a double play.
SITUATION D:
All bases are occupied with no outs when B4 hits a ground ball to F4. R1 runs into F4 as he is fielding the ball.
RULING:
The ball became dead when the interference occurred. R1 is declared out. If the umpire rules that F4 could have executed a double play, then the umpire shall declare 2 outs (the runner who interfered and the other runner or batter-runner involved). If the umpire rules that only one runner could have been put out, then only R1 is out. No runs may score and all runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference.
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