Interference or not ?

[3ump]

runner on 2nd batter receives ball a wild ball four. On deck batter gently taps ball back toward catcher as batter trots to 1st.. Now this was a scrimmage game so ump kindly reminded ODB not to touch LIVE ball, however if runner is stealing third and batter is running to 1st with perhaps thoughts of 2nd where do we go with this.

I know I am adding some things onto the actual play , lets hear your thoughts...thx

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by 3ump

runner on 2nd batter receives ball a wild ball four. On deck batter gently taps ball back toward catcher as batter trots to 1st.. Now this was a scrimmage game so ump kindly reminded ODB not to touch LIVE ball, however if runner is stealing third and batter is running to 1st with perhaps thoughts of 2nd where do we go with this.

I know I am adding some things onto the actual play , lets hear your thoughts...thx

Runner not advancing, dead ball. Runner advancing and Catcher or F3/F5 have no play, dead ball, runner back to 2nd. Runner advancing (or retreating, I suppose) and someone has a play, R2 is out.

Err on the side of Yes, they had a play.

[mbyron]

It sounds as if the on deck batter helped the defense. Kill it for the touch, if you like, but that's not interference.