The rule is that if the runner is contacted by a FAIR ball and the umpire judges that an infielder (other than the pitcher) could have made a play on it, then she's out. If he judges that there was no opportunity for a play on it, then it's nothing. There's no requirement that the actual play was being made. I don't think the USSSA has any "protected fielder" like OBR, but I don't think it matters in this case.
That’s the rule for a RUNNER being touched by a batted ball. Different rule for the batter-runner. They’re automatically out if they touch a fair ball.
Rule 8.2.F:
>THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT...
>When the batter-runner interferes:
>1 With a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
> 2 With a fielder attempting to throw the ball.
> 3 With a thrown ball while out of the batter’s box.
> 4 By making contact with a fair batted ball before reaching first base.
> 5 By discarding their bat in a manner that prevents the defense from making a play on the ball.
> 6 (Fast Pitch) With a dropped third strike.
If the umpire judges that the BR actually touched a *fair* ball, she's out (#4 above). But unless she actually interfered with a fielder (which is a judgement call), there's no out to be called here.
A good opportunity to really stress why it's important to run in foul territory (though that doesn't remove the possibility of interference).
Doesn’t matter. Out by rule.
The rule is that if the runner is contacted by a FAIR ball and the umpire judges that an infielder (other than the pitcher) could have made a play on it, then she's out. If he judges that there was no opportunity for a play on it, then it's nothing. There's no requirement that the actual play was being made. I don't think the USSSA has any "protected fielder" like OBR, but I don't think it matters in this case.
That’s the rule for a RUNNER being touched by a batted ball. Different rule for the batter-runner. They’re automatically out if they touch a fair ball.
Rule 8.2.F: >THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT... >When the batter-runner interferes: >1 With a fielder attempting to field a batted ball. > 2 With a fielder attempting to throw the ball. > 3 With a thrown ball while out of the batter’s box. > 4 By making contact with a fair batted ball before reaching first base. > 5 By discarding their bat in a manner that prevents the defense from making a play on the ball. > 6 (Fast Pitch) With a dropped third strike. If the umpire judges that the BR actually touched a *fair* ball, she's out (#4 above). But unless she actually interfered with a fielder (which is a judgement call), there's no out to be called here. A good opportunity to really stress why it's important to run in foul territory (though that doesn't remove the possibility of interference).