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Pete:
Naturally, this has been debated "furiously" on the URC. Briefly:
R3 not moving on the pitch. Catcher interferes, but B1 rolls to the second baseman and is thrown out.
Professional position:
The J/R and JEA both say the umpire should enforce the interference when it occurs -- period. Send B1 to first, send R3 back to third. And then wait. (A poster overshot himself by saying that the NAPBL also supports the "no option until asked" position.)
One amateur position:
When the coach has an option, explain it to him.
My position:
Call both coaches out and explain what you are doing: "Coach, your catcher interfered, so your opponent gets to choose: Play (1 in, 1 out) or penalty (runners on the corner)."
Several people pooh-poohed that, particularly some college umpires. I was happy when both Jon Bible and Ken Allen agreed with me, pointing out that in unusual plays, both coaches should always be apprised of what was going on.
My point: If you try the professional approach in an amateur game, when you send R3 back to third and the offensive coach comes calling to ask for the play option, you will have a lot of explaining to do when you bring R3 back to the plate.
Beat him to the punch. After all, a baseball game isn't run by the CIA.
Finally: No one has ever advanced any REASON not to explain the coach's options.
[Edited by Carl Childress on Nov 3rd, 2000 at 03:07 AM]
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