[thumpferee]

I think the J/R gives a pretty good description.



It is defensive (or catcher's) interference if:

1 The batter or his bat contacts the catcher during a swing or bunt at a pitch.

a) e.g. one out, hit and run. The batter swings at a curve ball and strikes the mitt of a catcher who is not crouched and preparing to throw.

b) e.g. a batter swings belatedly on a fastball and smacks the mitt of a crouched catcher.

2. The catcher is on or forward of the tip of home plate (or "on fair territory") to get the pitch and prevents the batter's opportunity to swing at or bunt such pitch.

Examples:

a. In the windup position, the pitcher begins his motion to pitch and R3 steals. The catcher springs from his crouch onto fair territory and catches the pitch as the batter strides, but does not swing.

b. R3, suicide squeeze. The catcher catches the pitch forward of home plate while the batter maintains his position, partially squared to bunt.


However, it is not defensive (or catcher's) interference if the batter:

1. Steps outside the batter's box and he or his bat strikes the catcher.

2. Throws his bat at, and strikes, the catcher.

3. Uses his bat to intentionally strike the catcher on foul territory (tries to hit the catcher versus the pitch).

4. Swings, but does not strike the catcher, who is on foul territory.

5. Completely gives up his opportunity to swing or bunt at a pitch.

6. Accidentally strikes the catcher with his bat during a practice swing while the pitcher prepares to pitch.

Penalizing Defensive (Catcher's) Interference

Once there is defensive interference, the ball is not dead. All continuous action is allowed to occur. If every runner and the Batter-Runner acquires his advance base during continuous action, the interference is disregarded. When continuous action ends, and the umpire determines that a runner or Batter-Runner has not acquired his advance base, the ball becomes dead, and the interference is then enforced as follows:

a. The Batter-Runner is awarded first base.

b. All sequential runners are awarded their advance base.

c. Any runner stealing on the pitch is awarded his advance base.

d. Runners who are not sequential and were not stealing must return to their TOP base.

However, the offensive manager has the option to accept the result of the continuous action rather than have the interference enforced, Such manager must indicate to the umpire his choice of the result of continuous action; the umpire does not offer such an option.


Tim.