Safe or out?

Question
QUESTION: This is the first time I've seen this playing ASA softball. My team was batting with a runner on first with two outs. The batter hit a fly ball that the first baseman was playing it in foul territory. About three feet from the base the first baseman dove into fair territory across the baseline to attempt to catch the ball and knocked my runner over. My runner was called out and the inning was over. The ball landed in fair territory and none of the defensive players nor the runner touched the ball. What is the ASA ruling here? Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Rick,


sounds like the umpire called interference on your runner.  A runner must vacate any space needed by the defense to execute a play.  I'm wondering w/ 2 outs why was your runner anywhere near 1st base.

mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

The runner he ran into was the batter. He hit a fly ball and the first baseman was judging it in foul territory. The batter was running to first and the first baseman misjudging the ball dove across the foul line into fair territory, and consequently into the batter, while attempting to catch the ball. I know it's not an infield fly because we had two outs and only first was occupied. The batter wasn't looking at the ball he was trying to run it out. Even if he had seen the ball and moved outside the 3 foot base path he would be out anyway. Is this a lose/lose situation?

Rick

Answer
Hi Rick,

The 3' lane is used only for interference on a thrown ball.  The b-r must vacate the space necessary for the defense, in this type of play interference need not be intentional.  The b-r can run anywhere out of that space w/out penalty.  

Mark