Rule 7.09 (b)
 

We have a 3-2 count with two outs. Runner leads off third about 10 feet from the base and 10 feet foul. Batter hits a chopper, and the runner instinctively catches it and throws it to the pitcher. It never had a chance in hell of hitting the ground and going fair.

Would you enforce 7.09 (b) on this play?

7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when—
(b) He intentionally deflects the course of a foul ball in any manner

No, but he should get a good butt chewing from PU and head coach. crap storm waiting to happened.

Depends on the level and how far foul it was. 10 feet foul? "Foul! You, don't touch a live ball."

At higher levels with the runner in a more usual position 3-4 feet foul, I might get him for INT.

Kevin,

As described, the only proper call on this sitch is "FOUL!".

JM

Nope

I have just a foul ball as long as there was no chance of it becoming fair. I'm guessing this call was made and the umpire called INT.

Well, it was 18-U Nationals wood bat, so it was college guys and some former pros who are supposed to know better.

I almost matched M Byron's to the word: "Foul! That ball's live; you don't catch a live ball."

The second baseman started pleading for me to rule it, and I told him that I wasn't going to rule interference on a ball that had no chance of bouncing fair. You'll love his retort: "But last week we got called out on the same play!"

I just said, "Not if it's 10 feet foul."

I'm glad it's not a letter-of-the-law type of rule to most of you guys, too.

Rule 7.09(b)
 

My reply: That was last week, this is today.

I love it. That was last week ... :)

A couple of times, when somebody complained that the last guy had them suffer a ruling that was wrong, or like in this guy's case, overkill, I said, "I'm sorry that happened."

Not on this play, but I have called it. Had a regional 14U tournament in Australia where R3 did that, and I banged him. The fact that the ball was less than a foot foul had a lot to do with it, though.

I just had this again!

And I didn't call it this time, either. And this time, it was about a yard from the line--first base this time. The guy was just as experienced, and just as clueless about this rule.

I am going to call this someday, but it'll be on one like Hokie described.

Wait a second....you mean R1 grabbed the ball? What was he doing in foul territory and not running on the batted ball? Why would he even be in foul territory under any circumstances? I am afraid I don't understand this one.

If you are talking about the 1st base coach, then it's not the same thing.:confused:

R1 on 3B? :-) FED language?

No, he said it happened at first base. I want to know how a runner at first base can interfere with a foul batted ball.

The only thing I can think of is that he was on the base and grabbed the ball while it was over foul territory