Quote:
Originally posted by michael15544
Pro-Rules:
Runner on third base. Count is 3-0 to the batter. Ball 4 is issued to the batter. Umpire calls ball 4 and the batter throws his bat to the dugout while standing in the batters box. In the process of doing that the catcher pops up and throws the ball down to 3rd base to try to pick off the runner. Right after the catcher throws the ball, the ball hits the bat in mid air and the ball falls to the ground a few feet from the catcher. The batter runs to first and the runner on third comes home to score.
I've been told 2 different rulings,
ruling 1 is what i did,
dead ball,batter is out for interference and runner goes back to third.
ruling 2,
live ball. there was no intent on the batter interference so therefore it is a live ball
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Since you have not posted lately you have either been bored by the posts that followed, or have been disgusted with them. I believe I would have ruled as you did, batter-runner (since it was ball four the batter is now batter-runner) is out for interference and R3 goes back to 3B. Ruling 2 can't be the right answer. R3 can't score when BR interferes with the catcher in an attempt to pick him off.
Contrast this to another play. RH batter walks on ball four and F2 comes up throwing and the ball hits batter in the helmet. In this case the ball is live, and the runner could score, since the batter did not DO anything, he was just there.
When a batter walks he needs to drop the bat to the ground and let the bat boy get it. IMHO