Verbal Interference (FED)
Saw an interesting call over the weekend (I was not working this game). Bottom of 6th, bases loaded, home team down by 1 with 2 outs. Pop up straight behind home plate (about 60 feet of foul territory behind home plate). Catcher is running back toward backstop to try to field ball. There is a bench about 3 feet behind backstop. Lady is sitting there not really paying attention (texting or something), looks up and sees catcher bearing down on her and screams. Catcher alligator arms the catch and drops the pop up. PU calls verbal interference on the fan and signals the batter out. Fans go nuts. Lady (who actually was there supporting the catcher's team) never even realizes that the umpire called the batter out because of her. Home fans don't know what the umpire called at first, then get upset because the lady was not even their fan. I have never seen verbal interference called on a fan, although the wording of spectator interference rule in FED does not seem to exclude verbal interference. Certainly not a call I would make. Home team goes on to lose by 1 run. That lady still doesn't know that she was called for the interference. Opinions??
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