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Originally Posted by tibear
btdt:
"6.06 (c) He interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base. [/B]"
Here is a situation with a batter where the interference is ignored because it didn't affect the play.
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You're attempting to apply the wrong rule. 6.06(c) on applies when the batter interferes with the catcher attempting to make a play on another runner, i.e. a runner stealing second or third. 6.06(c) is not relevant since it applies only to the catcher and does not apply in the case of a batted ball. From JEA on 6.06(c)
This rule encompasses any and all play by the catcher in which he is trying to retire a runner. It includes attempts to pick runners off base and attempts to prevent stolen bases.
Rule 7.09 applies in this situation:
It is interference by a batter or a runner when -- ( j) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball... PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.
As soon as the batter becomes a runner, his status changes. He's no longer a batter and he, like any runner, must avoid contacting a defensive player making a play on a batted ball. If he doesn't, it's interference plain and simple. It doesn't matter whether the defensive player actually makes the play. There is no delayed dead ball. The ball is dead immediately, the BR is out, and runners return to their TOP bases.
Example, R1 and R2, one out. BR hits a ground ball to F6. R2 bumps F6 (by accident) just as he is about to field the ball. Despite the bump, F6 fields the ball and flips to F4 for the force out on R1. F4 makes the relay to F3 in time to retire the slow-footed BR. According to your application of interference, the double play stands - but it doesn't. It's interference the moment R2 bumped F6, the ball is dead, R2 is out, and the BR is awarded first base. R1 is advanced to second base.