The Force Play Slide Rule - In this play, the runner slid illegally by NFHS rule as a pop-up slide is not allowed. According to the force play slide rule, if the runner "slides illegally" (PLEASE look up definition of legal/illegal slide) they shall be called out and batter-runner as well. IF the slide is illegal, then by rule there is no judgment as to whether a play was possible on batter-runner. Merely throwing hands in the air does not meet the definition of an illegal slide. If the runner goes in standing up then the runner has not committed an illegal slide and the umpire can use judgment as to whether there was a chance for an out on the batter runner before declaring the second out.
The Force Play Slide Rule - In this play, the runner slid legally. The contact was created when the fielder stepped into the base path to throw the ball but the runner had met the requirements of a legal slide. This was an umpire crew of two and the field umpire ruled safe because the fielder never got his foot on the bag for the first out. However.......The umpire was SO intent on selling his first call, he has no idea what happened at 1B. When the ball was hit he was in the C so I can assume runners were first and third. Since there is a double play opportunity, he should have worked across to the first base side, stopped to see play at second, make the call, and signal as he turned to see play at first. Then he can go back to give reasoning on why safe at second by signalling the fielder was off the bag. Furthermore, the coach has no right to be rushing the field without time being called. This would be the time to use the approved warning/restriction process. Make note of what happened and why the coach was given his warning and restrict him to the dugout for remainder of the game.
Softball does NOT have a force play slide rule - In this play, the runner went into second base standing up and interfered with a fielders attempt to make a play on another runner. Page 65 and 66 of the Case Play book has some examples. In softball, since this was interference by a runner who was already out, interference would be called and the runner closest to home would be called out. Return all runners to bases legally acquired at the time of pitch.
Obstruction - The catcher, who did not have possession of the ball, was in the base path and the plate umpire ruled obstruction. You can see he immediately signalled a dead ball. Obstruction is delayed dead ball and he should have allowed the subsequent play on the following runner. The following runner was not affected by the obstruction and there was still an opportunity for the out. The rule book says runners affected by obstruction may be placed at bag they would have attained had there been no obstruction, but that is to allow umpires to award following runners an additional bag should they stop because the runner before them was obstructed and prevented from advancing. Since the plate umpire called time, base umpire should have echoed and been attentive of the play at third base but not make a call as time was called.
Final Notes
1. Remember, for interference in baseball and softball, runners return to bases last touched at time of pitch. If interference occurs after ALL runners have advanced to their force bases, then would return to bases acquired at Time of Interference. Baseball has a Force Play Slide Rule and Softball does NOT. Obstruction is delayed dead ball in both as well.
2. Softball Case Play 8.4.3 Sit. E states that if the catcher is making a play on a thrown ball and it brings her into the runner, this is viewed as a "collision" and neither obstruction nor interference has occured unless either player does something to earn a call beyond the basic contact. Baseball states that the defensive player MUST have the ball to be there and this would be obstruction. In baseball, if the crash happens at first base before the runner reaches, it is obstruction. If the collision happens after, you have nothing unless either player furthers the incident to earn obstruction or interference.
Finally - For the Force Play Slide Rule, There MUST, MUST, MUST be an illegal slide. The rule book defines legal and illegal slides on Page 23. The definition states that on a force play, the slide is illegal if it is not on the ground AND in a direct line between the two bases. To call this BY RULE for the force play slide rule we would expect you to use the rule stating legal slide directly to the bag but know the rules for a legal slide does also state a runner may slide away from the fielder.
Note - This will be a rule that can be read many ways by many people, it does state 8-4-2(b) that the slide on a force play must be in a straight line between the bases, then follows with "or - 1. A runner may slide in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder."
ALSO, remember that if the runner is standing up into the interference or does not slide and there is interference, use your judgment and look at the play. My suggestion is to judge intent. If the defense is trying for the out at second because they have no play on the batter-runner, give them the out. Since they had no play at first base and there was no illegal slide, nothing will come from you calling a second out but an ejection. If the runner intentionally went out of their way to interfere but did not slide, if you can justify a second out, give him the interference call he earned. If there was even a slight chance of a second out call it. If the runner interferes and the defense had a chance on another of the multiple runners you also have the option to call the runner out closest to home if uncertain which runner the defense would have played on.