Catcher Interference

[Jim Porter]

To You Naysayers:

How would you rule on the following?

R1, no outs. The pitch is delivered, and the catcher securely holds the ball while entirely within the catcher's box. R1 is going nowhere. The batter's late swing carries all the way around and unintentionally contacts the catcher's mitt, sending the ball flying out of the glove and into dead ball territory.

Now, what do you do? Are you guys really telling me that you're going to award bases here?

Yougottabekidding!

Double R Double L and Papa C. are absolutely correct. The described scenario is interference if the ball is securely held by the catcher.

So, you don't believe us, how about some former Pro school rules instructors?

From J/R:

Weak Interference: Return Toss and Backswing:

[...]If a batter contacts the catcher, or his mitt, or the baseball with his backswing, and the catcher has gloved or blocked the pitch, it is interference.[...]