catcher's interference?

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by LMan

I have seen CI called several times when, *on the backswing* (ie, after the swing missed the ball and the bat barrel is going on around the BR's back) the bat hit the catcher's mitt. Since this is really *after* the BR swung and missed, is this really CI?

If it's TRULY the BACKSWING - NO here's the applicable rule

OBR 6.06
If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing before the catcher has securely held the ball, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play.

Pete Booth