Originally Posted by DTQ_Blue

In response to Big Guy, batter was RH, F1 approaches plate and her best position to take the throw from F2 would have been slightly to side of the plate to her right as she approached. Because the batter was directly in her path, the pitcher stays more to her left and approaches the plate head on. This disadvantaged F1 in positioning herself to attempt to make the tag.

One thing I would add in response to the discussion about intent on the part of the batter. As I noted up top, this actually happened in a softball game, but I wanted this board's take on the play because it could happen in a baseball game. It happened in a 10U tournament game. There were a lot of good teams at this event but the batting team was not one of them. They were far inferior in quality to every other team present. This play happened because the batter didn't have a clue; no intent whatsoever. But I still had to make a call.

Originally Posted by DTQ_Blue

Steve,

In 10U softball, the pitcher's plate is only 37' from home. A quick and alert pitcher gets to the plate to cover very quickly. Also due to the quality of the team at bat as noted above, R3 wasn't exactly off to a quick start down the line. F1 was not blocking the plate, but was at the plate before the runner and trying to set up slightly to the 3B side (throw was coming from slightly to the 1B side of the area behind the plate). That way, if she catches the catcher's throw, she just drops the glove. If she, a RH pitcher approaches the plate head on, she has to catch the throw and then reach back across her body to apply the tag before the runners foot contacts the plate.

I could see F1 looking at the batter and changing her angle of approach to the plate. IMO, the batter did not clear the area as she should have.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Causing the pitcher to change approach angles is not interference. It is not the same principal as used in obstruction situations, where causing a deviation of a path is a violation. If the batter made no move to prevent the pitcher from setting up for the throw, then she didn't interfere. The pitcher could have just came right in and contacted the batter out of the way, but chose to accomodate the batter by not pushing her aside. The pitcher decided to change courses, the batter did nothing to cause this.

Of course, I wasn't there, so I really don't know what the batter did or didn't do, but if she just stood there, that act alone does not constitute interference.