Catcher's Int on Illegally Batted ball

[kylejt]

What if the batter's back foot were out of the back of the box, thus putting him closer to the catcher? I'll bet we have some different answers now.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by kylejt

What if the batter's back foot were out of the back of the box, thus putting him closer to the catcher? I'll bet we have some different answers now.

Well, shame on the umpire for letting the batter start too deep, but I'd have the same ruling.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Well, shame on the umpire for letting the batter start too deep, but I'd have the same ruling.

Kyle does mostly LL - where sometimes the kids stride back toward the catcher.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Kyle does mostly LL - where sometimes the kids stride back toward the catcher.

I do, and I've seen it. They'll start with a narrow stance in the back of the box, and when the pitch comes in actually step out of the back of the box. That's batter's interference, if they contact the glove, with a man on base, yes? If not, why not?

[cviverito]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I do, and I've seen it. They'll start with a narrow stance in the back of the box, and when the pitch comes in actually step out of the back of the box. That's batter's interference, if they contact the glove, with a man on base, yes? If not, why not?

It's not. Reason: because you rule on each issue in the order in which they occur.

In this case, the catchers glove interferes with the batters swing before the bat makes contact with the ball. So you rule on that first. Catchers interference, delayed dead ball. The batter is awarded first only if the continuation of his swing fails to yield a base hit or better, which is what happens here when the batter strikes the ball while one or both of his feet entirely out of the box. So, award first base for the interference. Now the defense has a choice - accept the interference and take the award...or take the out. Guess which one they will take?

Keep in mind the batter is penalized for being out of the box only when he strikes the ball with his bat.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by cviverito

... Now the offense has a choice - accept the interference and take the award...or take the out. Guess which one they will take?

...

Chris,

Fixed it for ya'.

Apparently you had 3 thoughts jumbled.

John

[cviverito]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Chris,

Fixed it for ya'.

Apparently you had 3 thoughts jumbled.

John

Duuuuuhhh!

Thanks JM

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by cviverito

Keep in mind the batter is penalized for being out of the box only when he strikes the ball with his bat.

If the batter steps out of the back of the box and then strikes the catcher with his bat, I'm grabbing the batter.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

If the batter steps out of the back of the box and then strikes the catcher with his bat, I'm grabbing the batter.

One of the codes has a specifc play on this, but I can't at this time remember which, or the specific ruling.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by cviverito

The batter is awarded first only if the continuation of his swing fails to yield a base hit or better, which is what happens here when the batter strikes the ball while one or both of his feet entirely out of the box.

So in effect, you're saying it's perfectly legal for the batter to step anywhere he pleases to make contact with the catcher. Using this logic, I'm guessing you would consider it catcher's obstruction if the batter turned around and smacked the catcher in the head with the bat. Same theory applies. Sweeten the pot if the batter puts bat on ball. You can't call it any other way, now can you?

Time! You, first base. You, call an ambulance.

[cviverito]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

So in effect, you're saying it's perfectly legal for the batter to step anywhere he pleases to make contact with the catcher. Using this logic, I'm guessing you would consider it catcher's obstruction if the batter turned around and smacked the catcher in the head with the bat. Same theory applies. Sweeten the pot if the batter puts bat on ball. You can't call it any other way, now can you?

Time! You, first base. You, call an ambulance.

Steven and Dash - No. I am not saying that or considering the action you described as CI (CO in FED). Please allow me to clarify. What I am saying is if the batter makes an attempt to strike the ball and the catcher interferes I have CI first, then an out for his being out of the box. To your point, if I judge the batter to be stepping out of the box and deliberately striking at the catcher in effort to induce CI then I am not giving him the base.