Runner on second base, ground ball booted by the shortstop deflects into the runner who accidentally kicks the ball to the third baseman who tags the runner. Is the runner out?
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Anonymous
ANSWERS: 1
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Yes, the runner is out. But he's out on the tag not for interference. If a fielder deflects a batted ball and it then hits a runner, the ball is live and in play. If the ball is within a step and a reach of the original fielder, the umpire could still rule interference since the runner should be avoiding the fielder attempting to field the batted ball. Interpretations of the rules generally give the fielder the area in his immediate vicinity (a step and a reach) to play the ball if he misplays it. Once the ball goes beyond a step and a reach, then all bets are off. You cannot expect a runner to avoid a deflected batted ball. Since the ball is live and the third baseman fielded the ball and tagged the runner, the runner is out. You could have interference on this play if the umpired judged that the runner intentionally kicked the ball.
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