Catcher hits bat with throwback

[Kaliix]

If F2 was playing on the runner, he would come up quick and fire the ball to second. Contrast that with the relaxed action of throwing the ball back to the pitcher and the difference is obvious, as I'm sure you probably know.

To answer you question, J/R lists four ways in which the batter can interfere with the catcher (pg 91 B. & OBR 6.06c). If the batter interferes, he interferes. If it is interference with a play, the batter is out (exceptions not withstanding). If the batter interferes with a return throw, no play is being made so no penalty is necessary. But the defense cannot be put at a disadvantage either so the ball is dead and runners return to their TOP base.

Just as the batter doesn't have to disappear on a play (assuming no interference), nor does he have to on a return throw. Both are handled the same, the ball is live and runners advance at their own peril.

I think you probably knew all this, but it was fun looking it up and explaining it anyways.

Originally posted by Tim C
I have a question:

We know if a runner is stealing third and the catcher's throw hits the bat of the hitter in the box (who has done nothing intentional) that is "tough nuggies" as the batter does not have to disappear,

So if F2 throws a ball back to F1 how would we know if it was actually just a "toss back" or if F2 was trying to pick R2 off,

So my question is:

Why is there an apparent difference in a "play " by F2 or simply a "return throw" by F2 and the resulting play is handled differently?