Batter's Swing and Follow Through

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by LittleLeagueBob

Yes, this is another one of the FED differences that I love so much...

Case Play 7.3.5 Situation F:

With R1 on third, one out and two strikes on B3, B3 swings at and misses the pitch. The ball bounces off F2’s glove into the air, where it is hit by B3’s follow-through. The ball rolls to the back stop. B3 reaches first base safely and R1 scores.
Ruling: The ball is dead immediately. B3 is out for interference and R1 returns to third base. A batter is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to hit the ball, just as the catcher is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to field the ball. Once the batter swings, he is responsible for his follow-through.


I had always thought once F2 didn't catch it cleanly, the batter shouldn't be penalized for it -- I had to read this case play several times b/c it didn't "feel" right..I guess not a huge deal b/c the odds of it happening probably are negligible...I'll enforce it, but I'll also give the coach a little more leeway when "discussing" it!

When you say this is an "NFHS" difference, please explain:

From the Jaksa/Roder manual (page 96):

Example 8: R2, 2 strikes on batter. Batter swings at pitch in the dirt, ball is blocked into the air by the catcher. Batter's backswing contacts ball and knocks it several feet away. Ruling: Batter is out, runner returns to second.

This is a clear OBR reference, so how is there a "FED difference?"