[Pete in AZ]

[Quote] "6.05(h) refers to a bat thrown at a batted ball, not a thrown ball. The rule covering a thrown ball is 7.08(b), which deals with intentionally interfering with a thrown ball. When 6.05 says interfering with a defensive player attempting to make a play, it means with a batted ball. Without a judgment of "intent," you can't call interference in this case." [Quote]

I think you need to read 6.05 h again. It does not refer to a batted ball it talks about a whole bat being thrown in a way that interferes with a defensive player. It makes no mention of a batted ball in that sentence.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. I have spoken to a number of friends who may be soon out of a job. These guys all agree that if the batter tosses his bat in front of a catcher who is tryng to make a throw, they will have interference even if the catcher doesn't throw it, but is forced to halt it. These guys use the PBUC book that BigUmp56 referred to. They all said that it is the easiest of inteference calls to make. They don't have to woory about a swing or a lunge. The batter deliberately caused the intereference through his neglect.