HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THIS?

[TheBigEZ]

I am working an Indiana High School Sectional Championship this past Saturday night. I am behind the plate. Bottom of the 7th, 2 outs, runner on 3rd. # 1 team in the state is in the field, playing the # 8 team in the state, who is up to bat.

B1 has a 2-2 count. F1 throws a Wild Pitch that ricochets off F2's glove and trickles about 5 feet outside the home plate area (the dirted area) to the catcher's left. The right handed batter moves out of the way, and goes into the grass for what looks to be a play at the plate. As F2 retrieves the ball, he turns around to flip it to F1 covering at home. I am stationed on the opposite edge of the home plate area (back right edge) to make a possible call. AS F2 attempts to flip it, he double pumps the ball, before throwing it. When he does throw it, the throw is a perfect underhand toss to F1, but the runner beats the throw by a half-second. Runner safe, ballgame over.

The catcher is in my face saying it is batter interference. I say no. Batter went all the way out of home plate area, and when F2 did make a perfect toss to F1, it never hit the batter on its course, missing the batter by a foot or so. But I did not rule this interference. What do you think??

[joemoore]

If the batter did not intentionally get in the way and was actively trying to stay out of the way, then I think you made the right call.

If the batter was only acting like he was trying to get out of the way but was really screening the catcher...but you were there, so I'm sure that wasn't the case.

Why was #8 team home when playing the #1 team?

It sounds like a good call to me. The catcher was probably just frustrated that didn't catch the pitch to start with. Life is tough sometimes. The other clue that it was a good call was the manager didn't come out. If he truly believed you kicked the call he would have something to say I sure.

[mick]

Originally posted by TheBigEZ
I am working an Indiana High School Sectional Championship this past Saturday night. I am behind the plate. Bottom of the 7th, 2 outs, runner on 3rd. # 1 team in the state is in the field, playing the # 8 team in the state, who is up to bat.

B1 has a 2-2 count. F1 throws a Wild Pitch that ricochets off F2's glove and trickles about 5 feet outside the home plate area (the dirted area) to the catcher's left. The right handed batter moves out of the way, and goes into the grass for what looks to be a play at the plate. As F2 retrieves the ball, he turns around to flip it to F1 covering at home. I am stationed on the opposite edge of the home plate area (back right edge) to make a possible call. AS F2 attempts to flip it, he double pumps the ball, before throwing it. When he does throw it, the throw is a perfect underhand toss to F1, but the runner beats the throw by a half-second. Runner safe, ballgame over.

The catcher is in my face saying it is batter interference. I say no. Batter went all the way out of home plate area, and when F2 did make a perfect toss to F1, it never hit the batter on its course, missing the batter by a foot or so. But I did not rule this interference. What do you think??

EZ,
Play and call sound fine.
Catcher was mad at himself, and he wanted you to share his pain.
mick

[whiskers_ump]

"Pain is weakness leaving the Body"
(author unknown)
EZ, mick made another good call and
it sounds as if you did also. Catcher
looking for someone to blame. He hesitated
it cost them game.