Batter Interference

[MrUmpire]

I've lived in areas in which one association assigned FED, youth ball, Legion, MABL and JC. 300 games could be worked if one really wanted to.

I've also worked in areas in which associations were "specialized" and assigned only one level of ball. Impossible to work 300 games there.

Then, there's the Lance Cokalinski method of working on your own to get the "big games." I think Lance worked over 500 games one year in addition to holding clinics and camps.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I think Lance worked over 500 games one year in addition to holding clinics and camps.

Absolutely. And at least one of those clinics taught Lance's notorious "13 umpire mechanics" -- one umpire for each base, plus one for each fielder!

Hey, I have an idea about unemployment...

[DG]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Okay, here's a rule question from a basketball guy.
Isn't intent required for interference in this play? If the batter didn't know where the ball was, how could he have intended to interfere?

I can think of a lot of analogies where a basketball player did not intend to do something, but is penalized for doing it.

If the batter does not vacate the area, when he could have, just kind of stood there dumbfounded, he can be called for INT if he was where he should not be if he had any awareness of what was going on.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by DG

I can think of a lot of analogies where a basketball player did not intend to do something, but is penalized for doing it.

Even when the rule says that whatever he did must be intentional to be illegal?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Even when the rule says that whatever he did must be intentional to be illegal?

Once again, rule 7.11 does not take intent into consideration. The batter is required to vacate any space needed by the fielder who is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball.