Batter interference

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by NickG

Kicking the ball out of the catcher's reach certainly hinders his ability to field the ball.

NickG,

I could be wrong, but I believe the point that LMan & mbyron were making is that the F2 in the original situation was no longer "fielding the ball" - he had already had his chance to, and failed. He now is "chasing a loose ball" and is properly afforded less protection from "hindrance" by the offense under the rules. This distinction is discussed extensively in J/R.

Having said that, from your description in the initial post of this thread, I personally cannot tell whether BI should have been called or not. I would say that, if the ball were still within "a step and a reach" of the F2 at the time the batter (unintentionally) kicked it (in the umpire's sole judgement), a BI call would have been proper.

If the ball was beyond a step and a reach, live ball, play the bounce.

JM