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Am I to assume that intent is not relevant here? That is correct if they have stepped out of the box.
Is the mere stepping out of the box when the catcher is attempting to throw out an advancing runner an out if in the opinion of the umpire this hindered the throw? If it interferred with the throw, then the batter is out.
Does the catcher have to throw the ball or could she, realizing she is going to hit the batter, stop her throw?Ummm... in my opinion, if the catcher didn't attempt the throw, the batter could not have interferred with the throw. I would have a tough time ruling that interference.
Regarding the situation of 3-0 on the batter... I think I would have to see it, but it is probably an interference call by me. First, why does the batter think it was a ball when I'm yelling "ARRRRRRR"? Second, if the batter had received a walk and the catcher was throwing to third, it seems to me that the batter would have almost had to take a step back to be in the way of the throw and they have no business doing that. Third, the batter needs to get there head in the game. Fourth, the rule book states they are out.
The batter shall not: Interfere with a play at home plate. The play as you discribed it is more a concern in baseball, when a player is stealing home. In softball, if the runner at 3rd does not leave the base until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, about the only time the runner will come home is on a past ball or, on very rare occasion, on a missed sac-bunt. Either way, the batter has to be aware of what is going on and has to get out of the way. The difference between this and the first play were the catcher is throwing, is that the catcher must throw immediately and the batter cannot be expected to 'disappear' from the batter's box. But in this play at home, the runner has to run sixty feet and the batter has time to get out of the way.
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Dan
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