Interference on Ball 4

[PeteBooth]

During last night Mets Astros game the following occured.

1 Out Bordick on 1st - Todd Pratt up with a full count.

Bobby V call for hit and run - Pratt checks his swing (no motion at this point by PU) - Pratt starts to walk towards first.

Since Bordick was off with the pitch and F2 didn't really know if the pitch was a strike or not, he threw to 2nd. Because Pratt started towards 1st - F2 had to alter his throw and as a result he threw wild to second which allowed Bordick to go to third.

Nothing was called. Again I'm doing my best to describe what I saw. Also, as Fran Healey mentioned if the Astros were not 19 games behind the wild-card spot perhaps the manager what have put up a stink on this one.

My question is this. When the batter gets a base on balls does he first have to hesitate before going to first when F2 is trying to throw out a runner? or is it up to F2 to get in proper position to make throw?

Thanks in advance


Pete Booth