on deck batter

[Rich Ives]

Has it dawned on anyone that the OD batter didn't interfere - he assisted?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Has it dawned on anyone that the OD batter didn't interfere - he assisted?

Your comments are usually much more rules-based than that.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Your comments are usually much more rules-based than that.

OK then - did he interfere with the defense's ability to make a play (against the rules) or enhance their ability to make a play (assist - not covered)?

If assistance, should you let the play stand and leave the punishment up to his coach and team mates? (I'd vote for this.)

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

OK then - did he interfere with the defense's ability to make a play (against the rules) or enhance their ability to make a play (assist - not covered)?

If assistance, should you let the play stand and leave the punishment up to his coach and team mates? (I'd vote for this.)

The OD batter picked up a ball still in play. No assistance there.

I wouldn't defer my responsibilities to a coach and team mates.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

The OD batter picked up a ball still in play. No assistance there.

.

He threw it to the pitcher. He gave it to the defense instead of making them come get it.

And that's not assistance?

What world do you live on?

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

He threw it to the pitcher. He gave it to the defense instead of making them come get it.

And that's not assistance?

What world do you live on?

The world in which offensive players do not handle balls still in play. Obviously you are a stranger here.

At the time if his first "handling" (time of interference) no one knew what he was going to do, except perhaps the Amazing Kreskin and you, the Incredible Ives. Most of the rest of us are umpires.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

The world in which offensive players do not handle balls still in play. Obviously you are a stranger here.

At the time if his first "handling" (time of interference) no one knew what he was going to do, except perhaps the Amazing Kreskin and you, the Incredible Ives. Most of the rest of us are umpires.

You have to have a play to have interference. The catcher wasn't even close. ODB made it easier.

Or is the interference rule different in your world,

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

He threw it to the pitcher. He gave it to the defense instead of making them come get it.

And that's not assistance?

What world do you live on?

Really? He didn't throw anything to anyone. The instant he possessed it, play was dead. Period. Everything that happened after that didn't happen. (If you're going to go with "assistance" - which doesn't exist by the way --- then would you allow pitcher to then throw to a base and retire a runner? No ... of course not. Play was dead. This mysterious "assistance" didn't happen.)

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Really? He didn't throw anything to anyone. The instant he possessed it, play was dead. Period. Everything that happened after that didn't happen. (If you're going to go with "assistance" - which doesn't exist by the way --- then would you allow pitcher to then throw to a base and retire a runner? No ... of course not. Play was dead. This mysterious "assistance" didn't happen.)

Good luck. May you succeed where other's have failed.