[WhatWuzThatBlue]

6.05
A batter is out when_ (a) His fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder; (b) A third strike is legally caught by the catcher; "Legally caught" means in the catcher's glove before the ball touches the ground. It is not legal if the ball lodges in his clothing or paraphernalia; or if it touches the umpire and is caught by the catcher on the rebound. If a foul tip first strikes the catcher's glove and then goes on through and is caught by both hands against his body or protector, before the ball touches the ground, it is a strike, and if third strike, batter is out. If smothered against his body or protector, it is a catch provided the ball struck the catcher's glove or hand first. (c) A third strike is not caught by the catcher when first base is occupied before two are out; (d) He bunts foul on third strike; (e) An Infield Fly is declared; (f) He attempts to hit a third strike and the ball touches him; (g) His fair ball touches him before touching a fielder; (h) After hitting or bunting a fair ball, his bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. If the batter runner drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire's judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play; If a bat breaks and part of it is in fair territory and is hit by a batted ball or part of it hits a runner or fielder, play shall continue and no interference called. If batted ball hits part of broken bat in foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a whole bat is thrown into fair territory and interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play, interference shall be called, whether intentional or not.

SDS - Funny, but once again the rule sets you free. Look at the sentence again. It makes no mention of the ball being hit first. It states that if a whole bat is thrown into fair territory and interferes with a defensive player making a play, it is interference. Sentences indicate independent thoughts. The word 'If' connotates a separate thought from the previous. 'If' that is a puzzle to you, I suggest that you are once again worthy of the nickname "SIDECHICK". You wait until everyone makes the call and then jump in to throw punches at the back of the head. Most of us knew you were a wannabe now you just showed everyone that you are a coward too. Your quick with the books, what does J/R and Evans say about the play? I had to buy my PBUC manual, but I was issued my BUD manual when I was assigned to my first league out of pro school. We were never told to ignore batter interference. The NCAA has a very strict interpretation of the rule and it was updated this year. It too does not allow a batter to interfere without penalty. You make it incredibly easy to understand why you weren't asked to join the college ball group in your area. Anything above varsity strains your abilities. Admit it, you're not really an umpire - you are a groupie.

BU56, I don't know why this has become your crusade. The batter stood in the box, could clearly see the runner stealing and he tossed the bat in front of a catcher who was making a play. That is an obvious call to even a newbie. Are you saying that you would allow this type of play to occur?