Batter Hitting Catcher on Backswing-Repeatedly

[SAump]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Two different kids hit the catcher, one of the kids did it five times in a row. This is a pattern of behavior from this team, high school level. Was curious if there is a specific rule that applies. I am aware of catchers interference, this is not that.

Thanks

Easygoer

I can't imagine any reason a catcher would get hit five times in a row. I don't think there is a rule to protect him. There might be one to apply after he gets hit again. Your catcher still runs the risk of getting hurt and being sent to the hospital before that happens.

If it isn't catcher's interfence with a weird swing, what is it then? Tell us so we don't have to keep guessing about this highly unusual behavior. How did the umpire treat the 1st situation, the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th and 5th time? Please describe what happened.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by SAump

If it isn't catcher's interfence with a weird swing, what is it then?

Tell us how catcher's interference can occur with a warm-up swing. Seriously.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by matt

tell us how catcher's interference can occur with a warm-up swing. Seriously.

+100

[SAump]

Ozzy mentions a practice swing. I did not mention anything about a practice swing or warmup swing. I thought the rule violation took place during a live ball after the batter swung at a hittable pitch. But here you go.

A warmup swing may be as hard as a home run warmup swing a batter may take in the on deck circle or the short plate measurement half swing and soft backswing usually taken in the batters box. The catcher is standing TOO close to the batter.

Now easygoer doesn't mention a warmup backswing, so his catcher is subject to catcher's interference. But he claims to know what that is and states that that did not occur. I have nothing here so I asked for more info.

[easygoer]

Let me make this as simple as possible. The coaches of this team are total redneck a-holes. Their kids will spike yours if possible when running to the bag on a force play. I have seen them run over fielders attempting to catch pop ups. They will truck your catcher even if there is a clear path to the base. Pretty much every chicken *hit thing you have ever heard about they will do.

For the last 3 years the only time i have seen the catcher hit on the warm up cuts at the plate were against this team. They do it repeatedly and until an umpire makes them stop. I was just curious what specific rule should be used to stop their tactics.
Saw them play yesterday and their batter interfered with the catcher on a throw down to 2nd. The coach complained, again, two earlier instances that appeared to be batter interference were not called, the umpires finally called the kid out for batter interference on the third instance.

Again, not a question about what they are doing or why, only about the specific rule that should be enforced to stop it,

Thanks

Easygoer

[Matt]

Originally Posted by SAump

Now easygoer doesn't mention a warmup backswing

Yes, he did.

Originally Posted by SAump

I have nothing here so I asked for more info.

No, you had CI, which cannot occur on a warm-up swing, nor without a pitch.

Try again.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Let me make this as simple as possible. The coaches of this team are total redneck a-holes. Their kids will spike yours if possible when running to the bag on a force play. I have seen them run over fielders attempting to catch pop ups. They will truck your catcher even if there is a clear path to the base. Pretty much every chicken *hit thing you have ever heard about they will do.

FED 3-3-1n covers malicious contact.

Originally Posted by easygoer

For the last 3 years the only time i have seen the catcher hit on the warm up cuts at the plate were against this team. They do it repeatedly and until an umpire makes them stop. I was just curious what specific rule should be used to stop their tactics.

The umpire does not allow the pitcher to pitch.

Originally Posted by easygoer

Saw them play yesterday and their batter interfered with the catcher on a throw down to 2nd. The coach complained, again, two earlier instances that appeared to be batter interference were not called, the umpires finally called the kid out for batter interference on the third instance.

FED 7-3-5 covers batter's interference.

Originally Posted by easygoer

Again, not a question about what they are doing or why, only about the specific rule that should be enforced to stop it,

Thanks

Easygoer

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Let me make this as simple as possible. The coaches of this team are total redneck a-holes. Their kids will spike yours if possible when running to the bag on a force play. I have seen them run over fielders attempting to catch pop ups. They will truck your catcher even if there is a clear path to the base. Pretty much every chicken *hit thing you have ever heard about they will do.

For the last 3 years the only time i have seen the catcher hit on the warm up cuts at the plate were against this team. They do it repeatedly and until an umpire makes them stop. I was just curious what specific rule should be used to stop their tactics.
Saw them play yesterday and their batter interfered with the catcher on a throw down to 2nd. The coach complained, again, two earlier instances that appeared to be batter interference were not called, the umpires finally called the kid out for batter interference on the third instance.

Again, not a question about what they are doing or why, only about the specific rule that should be enforced to stop it,

Thanks

Easygoer

You must clean this stuff up.

The rule is unsportsmanlike conduct. All codes have some version of it. All you need is your judgement that the act was intentional. Your judgement cannot be questioned. Throw them out of the game without a warning. They will either stop doing it, or run out of players.

[johnnyg08]

Somebody either batter or F2 is doing something seriously wrong. In thousands of games of umpiring, I have never seen that. Batter could be hinting at F2 to get back off of the plate. Depends on the level. I wouldn't over think it. This is something that you will likely never see again.

[Rich Ives]

I'm having a hard tome believing that this stuff happens at high school level (per the OP poster in post 9) without retribution.

Someone has a perception problem with the activity - the only question is who has the problem.

[Steven Tyler]

I'm confused if the OP is talking about a "back swing" where the batter is in the box, and the batter is swinging his bat back, and hitting the catcher, or the "back swing" which is really "follow through" in my book, and hitting the catcher.

The first one is chicken sh*t, and the other one is stupidity (hopefully, not intentional). I would cut out both of them in a heartbeat, and make no qualms about it.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Let me make this as simple as possible. The coaches of this team are total redneck a-holes. Their kids will spike yours if possible when running to the bag on a force play.

EJECT!!!

I have seen them run over fielders attempting to catch pop ups.

EJECT!!!!!

They will truck your catcher even if there is a clear path to the base.

EJECT!!!!!

Pretty much every chicken *hit thing you have ever heard about they will do.

For the last 3 years the only time i have seen the catcher hit on the warm up cuts at the plate were against this team. They do it repeatedly and until an umpire makes them stop. I was just curious what specific rule should be used to stop their tactics.
Saw them play yesterday and their batter interfered with the catcher on a throw down to 2nd. The coach complained, again, two earlier instances that appeared to be batter interference were not called, the umpires finally called the kid out for batter interference on the third instance.

Again, not a question about what they are doing or why, only about the specific rule that should be enforced to stop it,

Thanks

Easygoer

Seriously? Try malicious contact OR unsportsmanlike conduct. You've seen all these things and done nothing? EJECT!!!!!! That's the only way it stops.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

EJECT!!! EJECT!!!!!EJECT!!!!! Seriously? Try malicious contact OR unsportsmanlike conduct. You've seen all these things and done nothing? EJECT!!!!!! That's the only way it stops.

Anyone up to a road trip to easygoer's fields? Give a week or two with him having to deal with umpires that don't allow this crap to happen and he'll either learn his lesson or be barred from the league. Either one would be a benefit to baseball.

[Steven Tyler]

If the team he is talking about is a travel team, quit inviting them. If they are a league team, kick them out.