[Mike Walsh]

Originally posted by Skahtboi
Last night's HS games were played on a field with a very shallow backstop, about 10-12 ft behind homeplate. It had a brick wall enclosure, with netting rising up in place of a fence. Several times wild pitches and passed balls (this was during the JV game) would rebound off of either the wall or the netting back into the direction of homeplate. My partner and I got to discussing this between games. What would happen, with a pending play from a runner stealing home from 3rd, if the batter, sensing "congestion" forming around the area of HP as the runner and pitcher converged, a)backed out of the box, accidentally kicking the rebounding ball while completely out of the box, or b) accidentally kicked the ball while backing out but still in the box; in both cases preventing the catcher from making a play.

I am primarily interested in hearing NFHS interps, but would welcome any others as well. (ASA, NCAA...etc.)


[Edited by Skahtboi on Feb 17th, 2006 at 12:32 PM]

I would treat a) and b) the same way. Once the defense misplays the ball, if the batter is trying to get out of the way, I will let the play stand unless I judge intent to interfere.

Mike