[WestMichiganBlue]

Uncaught 3K pops forward out of catcher's mitt, and

(a) hits B-R's foot as she is running and deflects away from the catcher, or

(b) is deflected by B-R's foot away from catcher.

Both NFHS and ASA call a B-R out for interference on a dropped third strike. USSSA is a bit more detailed, calling the B-R out for "interfering with the catcher's attempt to field the ball after a third strike."

My assumption on the intent of this rule is to prevent physical contact between the B-R and F2, not to call interference because the loose ball hits the B-R or is hit by the B-R after F2 failed to catch the ball.

Is it fair to penalize the offense after the defense failed to catch the ball?

(BTW - this occured in a 14U USSSA game Sunday).

WMB