Batter Interference?

[GarthB]

The decision to be made is: did the batter or did not the batter intefere with the catcher?

Next: did the catcher's throw retire R1 or not?

If the throw retired R1, ignore the interference. If it did not, the batter is out, R1 returns to first.

The mechanic we use locally: Plate umpire swings out from behind the catcher, points at the batter and says: That's interference!

He determines the outcome of the play at second. If R1 is out, he ignores the interference. If R1 was not put out, the PU continues: Time. That's interference, batter is out. You (pointing at R1), first base.