Catcher Interference
 

I saw a Catcher Interference call today. I looked up the rule and it appeared to be the correct call.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd and the batter hits the ball foul and I heard something weird and the umpire called Catcher Interference and placed the batter on first.

This was a Little League Baseball game and I believe they play by MLB rules(with modifications) Right?

I remember a HS Umpire advancing all runners on Catcher Interference play very similar to this. Do they have a different rule in HS? It is possible that i am remembering a Softball game(of course, they may have different rules, as well) But, I am pretty sure it was a HS Baseball game.

Thanks,
Orlando Dad

PS Do all LL Umpires call balls 2 inches off the ground strikes, or is it just here? LOL

Yes, LL uses OBR as the base for its rules.

While FED does use different rules, this one is the same. On CI, there is the option to take the play or the penalty. The penalty is that the batter is awarded first, and any runners advance if forced. In addition, any runner stealing on the pitch is awarded a base. Also, if R3 is attempting a steal of home, a balk is also enforced and ALL runners advance.


When you consider the diameter of the ball and the height of a batter, a pitch two inches off the ground very well could be a strike.

There are many factors that go into calling a strike, and what appears to be a 'low' pitch could very well be a strike. Many little league catchers set up very far away from the plate, so a pitch that is caught 2 inches off the ground probably passed through the strike zone. A properly coached catcher is an umpires dream!!

This IS NOT Interference by the Catcher; this IS Obstruction by the Catcher.

MTD, Sr.

Nice try but you got caught by the rules differences.

In FED it's catcher's obstruction.

In OBR and LL it's catcher's interference.

2.00 INTERFERENCE (b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter
from hitting a pitch.

6.08 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put
out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when—
(c) The catcher or any fielder interferes with him.

The ole I am going to appear like I know something about umpiring and the rules of baseball and throw my dig in about officials.Huh.

If you don't like the way other people officiate, get off your butt and try it yourself.

Sorry, no sympathy here for whinning parents.

No, not all LL umpires call a good strike zone: some have the kids out there for 3 or 4 hours to play a 6 inning game. :rolleyes:

Matt, I can't find this. Citation?

I believe FED does not advance any other runners on CI (Catchers Obstruction in FED) with a steal or squeeze of home. No balk.

+1.

And a pitch 2 inches above the ground (plate) would not be a strike for a toddler just started walking.

7.07

So in big boy baseball, it's Interference.

FED, it's not (wrote ahead of myself above.) See 8.1.1L.

OK, thanks, thought I was missing something!

It's interference in ANY OBR-based rule set. Not just the big boys.

OK Thanks.

Remember though that the OP was asking about a game under LL rules and it is 7.07 there.

The OP also asked whether the FED rule is different.

Exactly.

The difference between FED and NCAA/OBR on a runner advancing from 3b at time of the OBS/INT is that FED scores the run and puts BR on 1b, all runners also advancing on the pitch advance also. Runners not advancing do not, ie not a balk call. In NCAA/OBR a balk is called and all runners advance and BR goes to 1b.

Citation?
 

Except for when R3 is the runner stealing (OBR 7.07), I cannot find the justification for the bolded statement.

Thanks,

Matt was talking there about FED, not OBR. 8-1-1e1 is the reference: any runner attempting to advance is awarded his advance base.

Thanks
 

Thank you for the clarification. For obvious reasons, I am unfamiliar with FED rules.

LLGB 7.04(c)
OBR 7.04(d)

Next you'll say that R1 is on 3B.

Mark is not afraid to speak Feddish.

Go back and read all the posts. The answer is there, for a FED game. In OBR a balk is called on CI when R3 is stealing home so does not matter if runners are stealing.

Thank you too!
 

Ahh, exactly.

Thanks for helping me out.