I'm new to Fed rules - this will be my first season. Help me understand a point made in class this week. With a runner on first, and no count, the catcher drops the pitch near the plate. The batter nonchalantly bends down, picks up the ball, and hands it to the catcher. This constitutes interference and the ball is dead and the runner stays/returns to first. Is the batter out? Does it matter if the runner was attempting to steal?
What if the batter's actions were obviously unintentional (e.g., he swings and his momentum carries him out of the box where he interferes with the catcher's attempt to throw to a base)?
Is the treatment of any of these situations different than it would be under Pro rules? Thanks for your help.
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