Batter Interference?

[edhern]

Baseball Heaven 14y/o playoff game. Runner on first, two out. The batter knows the runner is stealing and puts his bat out in front of the plate waist high, no attempt to swing. He makes sure he keeps the bat there without moving as the catcher has to work around it to throw to second. I ruled interference on the batter because he intended to hinder the catcher's throw. The defensive team goes nuts. They said he was in the batter's box and didn't move, it was no different than the bat being left in the zone after a bunt attempt. I told him I made the call based on the fact that the batter made no attempt to hit the ball he intended to interfere with the catcher's throw. My partner was moving to cover the steal, so he did not see the play. The umpire's I asked after the game differed on whether it was a legit play or interference. Any thoughts and any rule citations.

Ed H