Quote:
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"Under OBR the batter is out in any circumstance and the ball is dead. Unless of course the runner attempting to advance is put out."
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In the 2004 OBR that I have, the notes after 6.06 (c) state, "If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call 'interference.' The batter is out and the ball is dead....
If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed that there was no actual interence and that runner is out, not the batter...."
At least to me, that seems to clearly state that the batter is out on interference, with no mention of outs or the runner being out unless they actually make the play on him and put him out.
In terms of this "blatantly and avoidably" construct, 6.06(c) simply states that the batter is out if (c)He interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catchers play at home base...."
Seems pretty clear that if steps out of the box he better get out of the way or he has interfered, intentional or not.