Batter Interference?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

Like to think I got this right today. I think some wording in a case play supports this even though the sitch isn't the same.

R1, two outs

pitch comes in (ball/strike not relevant) and R1 takes off for second, catcher begins to pull ball from glove to throw down to second and get the runner when the batters follow through carries the bat into the catchers glove hindering his ability to pull the ballout and throw down. I immediately rule batter interference and call the batter out to end the half inning. Coaches go nuts, I tell him the follow through is his responsibility and he disagrees, game goes on, they win 4-3 anyway.

In a FED game, the batter is responsible for his follow-through, and since the FED does not allow for "weak" interference, the batter is out.

In an NCAA game, if in the umpire's judgment the batter accidentally contacted the catcher as the pitch was caught, then the pitch is a strike only (not interference), the ball is dead, and the runner returns to first base (unless it was strike 3, where the batter would be out, but not the runner).

In OBR, it is almost the same as NCAA, but the wording is "before the catcher has securely held the ball." (see 6.06 (c) Comments). It also uses the language, "unintentionally" instead of "accidentally."

The official PBUC interpretation is: "If the batter is in the batter's box and his normal backswing or follow-through unintentionally strikes the catcher or the ball while the catcher is in the act of throwing, "Time" is called and runners return (unless the catcher's initial throw retires the runner)."

(So, wait until you see if the catcher's throw gets the runner before calling Time, naturally!)

The official PBUC approved mechanic for this call (if the catcher's throw does not retire the runner) is, ""Backswing hit the catcher!" and simultaneously point to the batter, and then yell and signal "Time."