# Question about baseball rules **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 16, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149 "2015-05-16T00:54:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nom\_de\_Plume](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/85f322/32.png) [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/1 "2015-05-16T00:54:31Z")
There was a double play in tonight’s Orioles game. Adam Jones was running from first to second, and got tagged out. Second baseman threw to first, and Jones ducked to avoid the ball. It made me wonder, what would have happened if he jumped instead and took the throw to the chest, letting the batter get to first? Yes, I’m sure it would hurt like hell, but would it be against the rules? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/2 "2015-05-16T01:05:15Z")
It’s offensive interference > **[MLB Official Information | MLB.com](https://www.mlb.com/official-information)** > > Official information about Major League Baseball It is interference by a batter or a runner when – (i) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/3 "2015-05-16T01:14:09Z")
I believe (I could be mistaken) that the batter would be ruled out, since the runner had already been put out by the play at second base. (Also, flagging this post for a moderator to move it to the Game Room) ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/4 "2015-05-16T01:17:16Z")
**Moderator Action** Let’s bat this one over to the Game Room (from GQ). ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/5 "2015-05-16T02:19:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I believe (I could be mistaken) that the batter would be ruled out, since the runner had already been put out by the play at second base. > > (Also, flagging this post for a moderator to move it to the Game Room) You are correct. This is covered by Rule 7.09(e). From \*\*PSXer’s \*\*link above: Rule 7.09 (e) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/6 "2015-05-16T12:01:51Z")
Recall there was an infamous play during a late 70’s World Series where [Reggie Jackson appeared to do exactly that](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvWKWvrVfrI)-but was not called out on it. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-baseball-rules/720149/7 "2015-05-16T20:34:51Z")
looks like the runner tried to swat the ball down when he was caught in a rundown last night [http://m.mlb.com/cws/video/?content\_id=117759283&topic\_id=11493214](http://m.mlb.com/cws/video/?content_id=117759283&topic_id=11493214) might as well try it I guess the game’s over anyway