Three Situations from the Training Class


 
1. With one out and R3 on third base, the infield is playing deep. The batter hits a fair ground ball towards 3rd base. R3 attempts to get out of the way, but is struck by the grounder while standing on third base. What is the call?
 
Call
Despite the popular urban legend, a base is not a "safe haven/harbor" from interfering with the defense fielding a batted ball.
 
Another urban legend is that a defensive coach has some type of territorial right to their defensive coaching box. It is true that if they are accidentally struck by a thrown ball (in foul territory), play continues without penalty -- but that is not true of a batted ball... 

1. The ball had not yet passed the 3rd baseman and R3 has been struck by a fair batted ball. R3 is out, the ball is dead, and the batter is awarded 1st base.


2. With one out and R3 on third base, the batter hits a high fly foul ball near third base. R3 tries hard to both stay on the base and to avoid the 3rd baseman, but the two unintentionally collide and the ball drops in foul territory for a foul ball. What is the call?
 
Call
2. R3 has interfered with the fielder's attempt to field a foul pop up. R3 is out and the batter remains at bat.


3. With one out and R3 on third base, the batter hits a high fly foul ball near third base. The third base coach tries real hard to avoid getting in the way of the third baseman's attempt to catch the foul pop-up, but the 3rd baseman runs into the third base coach (while the coach is his coach's box). This prevents the third baseman from catching the foul ball. What is the call?
 
Call
3. The coach as interfered with the fielder's attempt to field a foul pop up. The batter is out and R3 remains at 3rd base.