[soonerfan]

Originally posted by Patrick Szalapski

I can imagine a situation where the catcher begins his throwing motion and holds himself up at the last minute before he launches into the batter. Certainly, that would be interference.

For purposes of interference, can we define "play" as a legitimate attempt to put out a runner or to prevent a runner from advancing?

P-Sz

I agree with Tee's view a la Jim Evans. There does not have to be any contact by the offensive player for there to be interference called, merely the ACTION of interference by the player. A friend of mine had a game where there was a 2 out pop-up hit between home and the mound, pitcher and catcher converge, a runner coming home calls "BALL,BALL,BALL." Both players back off thinking it was the other, ball falls to the ground. The runner did not get between the two, did not touch either one...so how would it not be interference? I realize that players in the other dugout yell "I got it..." all the time. It is easier, however to determine where it is coming from if it's in the dugout or right next to you. So, I would not need a throw from a catcher...as long as there is dicernable attempt on his part to intend to throw. Oh, and isn't obstruction a defensive penalty on a runner and interference an offensive penalty on a defensive player? I am pretty sure there is a difference, maybe some of you rule book gurus help. JT