Quote:
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SITUATION 2: With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, B4 has a 0-1 count and on the next pitch R2 attempts to steal 2B. The throw is cut-off by F6 as R1 now attempts to steal home. F6’s throw to home plate strikes B4 who is standing out of the box preventing F2 from catching the ball and applying a tag on R1. RULING: B4 is guilty of interference. The ball is dead, B4 is out, R1 is returned to 3B and R2 is returned to 1B. (Rule 8, Section 2 F [3])
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I can't tell whether ASA cited the wrong rule or didn't quite get the situation right for the rule they wanted to cite, but either way, their intent (if you pardon the word) seems clear.
Two things were the critical components here:
1) The batter was out of the box, and
2) The catcher was prevented from catching the ball and applying a tag.
This is more than just the batter being out of the box and getting hit by an errant throw. The second point would seem to be the key... did the fact that the batter was hit by the thrown ball prevent the catcher from making the play?
7-6-S is an easier path to the call than 7-6-R, but the call would be the same.
ASA does need to re-work their situation for the 8-2-F-3 ruling, though.
(Rule references above are from 2006).