Umpire Thread

This is a tough but correct call.

Some points people are missing:

1. Yes, this is interference. The fielder has the right of way to field the ball. The onus is on the runner to be aware of the location of the fielder to avoid an interference call.

2. This is still interference even though the fielder caught the ball because the fielder was hindered in their ability to make a play on the ball. Just because the fielder made the catch does not mean the fielder was not hindered getting to that spot.

3. Interference does not need to be an intentional act when hindering a fielder's ability to make a play.

4. Unlike most instances, interference is not an immediate dead ball at the time of interference during an infield fly—by rule—until fair or foul is determined, and fair or foul cannot be ruled upon while the ball is in flight. Therefore, whether interference occurred before or after the infield fly was declared is irrelevant because the infield fly rule still applies on this play.

5. Absent interference, whether or not the fielder catches the ball on an infield fly still matters. While the batter is out and forces are removed either way, runners are still subject to base retouch rules if the ball is caught (and not subject to base touches if the ball is not caught).

6. Even if the call was incorrect (which it was not), a crew chief will not intervene to attempt to overturn another umpire's call, as that action is specifically against the rules. No umpire will seek to overturn another umpire's call; however, another umpire can provide information if asked by a calling umpire.