Batter Interference Question - Educate Me

[Spence]

Originally Posted by jicecone

You keep trying to call the batter for interference , just because F2 runs into him.

It doesn't work like that. The batter is entitled to be in the box.

Incorrect. I'm asking questions which is why I included "educate me" in the title. Plus, I said I didn't see what happened at the plate as I was watching the runner. My intention is to ask what umpires are looking for in a subjective call situation.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Spence

Incorrect. I'm asking questions which is why I included "educate me" in the title. Plus, I said I didn't see what happened at the plate as I was watching the runner. My intention is to ask what umpires are looking for in a subjective call situation.

If you were PU, why weren't you watching the batter? You have no runner responsibility.

The short answer to your question is: watch for interference. The batter standing in the batter's box ain't it.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If you were PU, why weren't you watching the batter? You have no runner responsibility.

The short answer to your question is: watch for interference. The batter standing in the batter's box ain't it.

Exactly what I was going to say. You have to stay with the ball which is in F2's possession right now. That was your mistake.

What do you look for?

• Was the batter where he was supposed to be? He just swung at or took a pitch, he cannot just disappear.
• Did the batter make any move (in your opinion) to intentionally block F2 from doing his job? This is self explanatory and don't go looking for trouble here.
• Did the batter have the time needed to vacate his position? In a squeeze play, the batter has little time to do anything but stand there and that is not interference.

You took you eyes off the play (to look at R3) so now you know to stay with the ball until the ball takes you to a play.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

What do you look for?

• Did the batter make any move (in your opinion) to intentionally block F2 from doing his job? This is self explanatory and don't go looking for trouble here.
  

Intent is not a prerequisite for BI, but the "any other movement" part of the rule generally means movement other than offering at the pitch.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If you were PU, why weren't you watching the batter? You have no runner responsibility.

The short answer to your question is: watch for interference. The batter standing in the batter's box ain't it.

I apologize for not being clear in my original post. I wasn't umpiring the game. I was just watching. I'm looking for education on what umpires look for in certain situations.