Catcher's Interference

[bluezebra]

Originally posted by harmbu
This happened in the Junior High game under FED rules. After a pitch crosses the plate, the batter swings and hits the catcher's mit. The only thing is that the catcher had already caught the ball when the contact was made with the mit. Catcher's interference was not called and the umpire explained that he cannot call interference when the ball is already in the glove. I have no reason to disbelieve him, but I cannot find it anywhere in the rule book or case book.

Anybody have any answers with rule references?

Thanks

1..In FED, it's catcher's obstruction, not interference.

2..In order to have catcher's obstruction against a batter, he has to prevent/hinder the batter's attempt to hit the pitch. If the ball is already in the catcher's mitt, there has been no hinderance.

(A)..Look up the definition of obstruction.

3..If a runner was attempting to advance, now there is batter's interference.

Bob