ASA 6(FP).11 DROPPED BALL
Quote:
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If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery, a ball is declared on the batter, the ball will remain in play and the runner(s) may advance at their own risk.
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It is quite apparent that if the umpire judges the ball to have slipped, a ball is immediately ruled. If a ball is ruled, how can the batter have a right to hit it? Please note that the rule does not mention the direction or distance the ball must travel.
Of course, this would not apply if the umpire believes it was just a bad pitch and the ball did not slip from the pitcher's hand.
BTW, there is no such animal as "catcher's interference" in softball.