Did I Interfere?

[Tony B]

I worked a Junior Varsity game tonight behind the plate (one man game). I had a runner on first. A pitch got away from the catcher. I felt I did a good job of clearing, and thought the ball had gone back to the screen. Alas, the ball had rolled just a few (3-4) feet away, and, unbeknownst to me, had settled at my feet. The catcher located the ball before I did and reached down to pick it up. The runner on first delayed, then broke for second. The catcher just got his hand on the ball when I inadvertently kicked it out of his grasp. Runner advances to second.

At this point, I realized what I had done. The catcher would have easily had a play on the delayed attempt at second. I ruled I had interfered with the catcher's throw. I sent the runner back to first. The offensive manager asked for clarification but did not argue. Next batter grounds out to end the inning. The manager approached me between the inning and said he felt I incorrectly ruled the play as interference with the throw. He said the catcher wasn't yet throwing the ball.

I came home after the game and reviewed all of my baseball rule books, and references. I understand the catcher hadn't yet initiated the throw in that his arm wasn't cocked back or anything like that.

Ideas? My sense is I missed this one.

Thank You.

Tony