With the bases loaded and 2 outs, the batter grounds to the shortstop. When the shortstop steps in to field the ball, he steps directly on a line between second and third base. The runner on second is running hard (head down) toward third base. The shortstop cleanly fields the grounder and is just about to release the ball from his hand on his throw to first base when the runner from second base collides with the shortstop. The shortstop's throw is wild and all runners are safe at their next base.

 

The defensive team wants runner interference called for the third out of the inning. The offensive team thinks the play should stand and reminds the umpire of 3 things (which all happened on the play):

 

1. The shortstop stepped into the runner's base path to field the grounder.

2. The contact between the runner and fielder was accidental and not intentional or malicious

3. The shortstop had completed the "act of fielding" and was at the last stage in the "act of throwing". What does the umpire do now -- runner interference (runner out) or "play on"?