Batter-runner interference?

Question
QUESTION: Situation:  U-12 softball, 1 out, runner on second, batter hits a catchable pop fly along first base line.  Pitcher and first baseman converge to catch the ball, but runner runs between them along the baseline, breaking up the play.  Runner was not touched by the ball, and reached first safely.

Should this have been interference on the batter-runner?  Would it have made a difference if the ball rolled foul?

ANSWER: Hi Mark,

the answer is I don't know because I didn't see the play.

Interference is a judgement call by the umpire that the offensive player impeded, hindered or confused a defensive player attempting to execute a play.

You stated the runner broke up the play, that certainly sounds like impeding or hindering but it's a judgement call.  If that happened I would ask the umpire why they didn't call the interference.

What happens to the ball doesn't matter because if we have interference the ball is dead at the moment of interference.

Mark

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response.  I should have added one more point.  The argument was made that there could not be interference called on the batter-runner as she was simply running down the first base line to get to first.  Does the batter have the "right" to the line?  Or does the interference rule govern regardless?

Thanks again.

Answer
Hi mark,

thank you for the kind eval.

The b-r has no right to the line here, just as a runner going from base to base has no right to a line that hinders, or impedes a defensive player attempting to make a play.  

The runner or b-r MUST vacate or not invade any space needed  by the defensive player to allow the opportunity to make the play.  If that means stopping or going way into fair or foul territory to avoid the defensive player, then that's what the have to do.

The book tells us "defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field without being hindered."

Mark