Weird Dropped Third Strike

[shimes]

How about this one: Two outs, two strikes. The batter swings at strike three, the ball goes into the catcher's glove and then squirts out directly in front of him--the catcher doesn't secure the ball for the third strike to be an out. The squirts out, and while still in the air, the batter's natural backswing knocks the ball over toward the dugout. The batter starts running to first, and I kill the play.

I called the batter out for interference, but darned if I know why. I couldn't think of any specific rule that covers an odd-ball play like this, but instinctually, it just seemed like the only possible call. I explained to the coach that the batter had the right to run to first, but at the moment the ball contacted the bat and knocked it thirty feet from the catcher, he interfered with the catcher's ability to field the the third strike.

I guess this one might cover the play, but I don't know. Any ideas?

7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when-

(a) After a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball;

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by shimes

How about this one: Two outs, two strikes. The batter swings at strike three, the ball goes into the catcher's glove and then squirts out directly in front of him--the catcher doesn't secure the ball for the third strike to be an out. The squirts out, and while still in the air, the batter's natural backswing knocks the ball over toward the dugout. The batter starts running to first, and I kill the play.

I called the batter out for interference, but darned if I know why. I couldn't think of any specific rule that covers an odd-ball play like this, but instinctually, it just seemed like the only possible call. I explained to the coach that the batter had the right to run to first, but at the moment the ball contacted the bat and knocked it thirty feet from the catcher, he interfered with the catcher's ability to field the the third strike.

I guess this one might cover the play, but I don't know. Any ideas?

7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when-

(a) After a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball;

You got the end result correct, though not the ruling. This is a simple backswing hit ball issue. Does not matter what the count is - simple dead ball (Unless intentional).

It doesn't happen very often, so it's not unusual for an umpire to scratch thehead & wonder what to do.

[mbyron]

And here, with the ball dead on backswing interference, the batter is out on strike 3, no advance possible.

[Sal Giaco]

First of all, this sounds like a "Third World Play". The chances for the ball to "squirt" out of the catcher's mit and just "hang" in the air as the batter's backswing comes back around to hit it are slim and none. With that said, I will give you a Third World response just for sh!ts and giggles...

I am going to go out on a limb and say NO interference - play on. The reason being is this play should be treated under the third strike "not legally caught" rule. If the defense (catcher) misplays a strike 3 pitch and the ball is not intentionally interferred with by the batter on his way to first, then the ball remains live and play continues regardless of where the ball ends up.

This approved ruling (NCAA & OBR) was put in place to not punish the offense for a mistake made by the defense (not cleanly fielding the third strike pitch).

You asked a TWQ and I just gave you a TWA (Third World Answer). Actually, my response isn't too far off - I could probably sell it to a college coach

[mcrowder]

I too have "play on" - it would require intent on the part of the batter to rule interference on a play like this.

[LMan]

This exact sitch came up in a thread about a week/two weeks ago. I argued a good bit in support of Sal's and mcrowder's position, but was outvoted rather severely.

Good luck this time, guys

[UmpJM]

Sal Giaco & Mcrowder,

As mbyron & socalblue1 correctly stated, this is a dead ball and the batter is out!

6.06(c)....If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing before the catcher has securely held the ball, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play.

This is commonly referred to as "backswing" or "weak" interference. If it happens on a strike 3, the batter is out and does not become a runner on a 3rd strike not caught. If not strike 3, it's simply a strike and any other runners remain at their TOP base.

Third world, second world, first world; your world or my world; doesn't make any difference.

JM