Batter picking up the ball

[johnnyg08]

Sounds like it probably was the right call. Furthermore, since you called the out for interference, the batter/runner and the other two rosters also learned something...Leave the live ball alone! Sounds like a pretty easy call. Offense argue at all?

[chitownvet]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Sounds like it probably was the right call. Furthermore, since you called the out for interference, the batter/runner and the other two rosters also learned something...Leave the live ball alone! Sounds like a pretty easy call. Offense argue at all?

No, they did yell at the guy who picked it up though. But later I started having doubts about the call.

[UmpJM]

chitownvet,

This is probably most properly ruled "weak interference" - kill it, send the runners back, tell the BR he really shouldn't ought to do that.

Of course, if you got an out, and the only one anybody got upset with was the clueless BR, good for you!

JM

[chitownvet]

Thanks all.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

This is probably most properly ruled "weak interference" - kill it, send the runners back, tell the BR he really shouldn't ought to do that.

Could someone offer a quick refresher primer on the definition of "weak interference", the penalty (see quote above?), the source of the rule (it's a Jaska/Roder interpretation, right?), and a couple of typical examples (hitting the catcher with the backswing?). Thanks.

In the OP, it sounds like there was a small possibility that F2 might have had a pickoff play. If so, I would give the benefit of the doubt to the non-offending team, and call BR out for interference.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

chitownvet,

This is probably most properly ruled "weak interference" - kill it, send the runners back, tell the BR he really shouldn't ought to do that.

Of course, if you got an out, and the only one anybody got upset with was the clueless BR, good for you!

JM

I'm going to disagree here. F2 may have had a play on either R# or R2, as they were moving toward home and 3rd respectively. Had it happened after both runners were going back to their bases, realizing they couldn't advance, then maybe weak interference and no penalty. The defense was squawking on the play, which leads me to believe that they thought there was a possible play as well.

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

chitownvet,

This is probably most properly ruled "weak interference" - kill it, send the runners back, tell the BR he really shouldn't ought to do that.

JM IMO not weak interference. OBR 3.15 covers this situation

Rule 3.15 Comment: The question of intentional or unintentional interference shall be decided on the basis of the person’s action. If, however, he kicks the ball or picks it up or pushes it, that is considered intentional interference, regardless of what his thought may have been.

We are NOT mind readers and the fact that the ball was picked up is deemed intentional interference so I agree with the out call.

Pete Booth