backswing hits catcher

[ggk]

R1, no count on the batter. no outs. R1 stealing on the pitch. B1 swings and misses and his backswing hits the catcher preventing him from throwing to second.
ruling? any changes in the codes?

no runners on, B1 swings, hits a dribbler right in front of the plate and his backswing hits the catcher which prevents the catcher from fielding the ball. R1 makes it to first safely.

thx

[BRump]

For your first question, (OBR 6.06c notes) if the batter is in the box, the ball is dead once the batter's backswing hits the catcher, with one exception. The runner returns to first and the count is now 0-1. The one exception is if the catcher is able to throw out the runner, then the out stands. Now, if you judge the batter hit the catcher on purpose then the batter is out and the runner returns to first.

Your second question I'm not a hundred percent sure, but it would seem to be batter interference, and therefore the BR would be out.

[mbyron]

I concur with BR: (1) sounds like "backswing interference," penalty as described; (2) HTBT, but sounds like interference, BR out.

[bob jenkins]

In FED, play 1 is also inter4ference -- Batter is out if R1 is not retired on the throw.