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You have a thrown (pitched) ball that was deflected off a defensive player (the catcher) and contacts the bat which is no longer in the hands of the batter and the batter did not intentionally throw the bat at the ball.
OBR rule 7.09a states that it is interference by the batter or runner when, after a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball. However, on a deflected ball that catcher has already had a chance to catching the ball, I would say you still have nothing. Does the "step and a reach" principle apply to the catcher?
In FED, 8.4.1a states the batter-runner is out when he intentionally interferes with the catcher's attempt to field the ball after a third strike (the italics are my emphasis). It is spelled out very clearly that there is no call in in GGK's scenario under FED rules.
Still, I'd like to hear OBR's interpretation.
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Last edited by TwoBits; Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 07:58am.
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