Interference?
 

I feel like a moron for not knowing this call even though this is my 6th year as an umpire.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd, 0 out. Batter strikes out, pitch bounces off the catcher's glove and settles about 5 feet away from the catcher, to the first base side of the diamond. The batter, in running to first, touches the ball with his foot, but the ball only moves half a foot if that, and the catcher picks up the ball and throws him out at first. The runner at third comes home on the play, and the runner at 2nd goes to third.

I didn't call anything on this one, as I couldn't think of any rule that would ban it. There was no intent on the part of the runner to interfere, and the catcher was not protected as the ball had bounced away from him.

By the way, I hope this is not one of those stupid rules where we have 4 different rules for one rule, 1 under FED, 1 under NCAA, one under Little League, one under OBR.

i think you're good here...how did the rats react??

No reaction from the rats. It was kind of like one of those multiple choice questions; if none of the answers (or interference rulings) comes to mind, the answer is E, none of the above:cool: .

As long as B1 touched the ball unintentionally, that's nothing. The best thing to do here is to point at the incident, give the "safe sign" and say "That's Nothing!" loud and clear. This lets everyone know that you did see it and that you are already ruling every thing's alright. It keeps the "Rats" off the "cheese" if you get my drift!

Enjoy

Post corrected to conform with situation.

Ozzy,

your confusing me a little, you say

"As long as B1 touched the ball (unintentionally of course) and the ball did not touch him, that's nothing."

Are you saying that if the pitched ball bounces out of the catcher mitt and hits the batter, it would be something??

Wouldn't it still be nothing?

You know what, I was quoting the rule but forgot the situation. I'll correct the provious post. Thanks.