More on Batter Interference

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Simplicity seems to be rather unhelpful, especially regarding in obliterating the distinction between being in and out of the box.

I was trying to obliterate your use of the term 'abnormal' and replace it simply with the term, 'interfere'. We see interference, we call it. For example, a pitcher might make an 'abnormal' looking pick off, that might not be a balk.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I was trying to obliterate your use of the term 'abnormal' and replace it simply with the term, 'interfere'. We see interference, we call it. For example, a pitcher might make an 'abnormal' looking pick off, that might not be a balk.

What counts as interference is different depending on whether the batter is in the box. Normal movements in the box are legal; normal movements out of the box might not be.

Your formulation is content-free and useless: call interference when the batter interferes. The point of the thread is to illuminate what the batter can and cannot do, and your post doesn't help.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by teccan9nja

These couple posts about BI makes me wonder what it would take to get a BI call. Specifically on pick-offs to third base. Many batters will notice the catcher pop up and take a step or two back in an attempt to get out of the way to avoid the call. Sometimes those actually get into the way of the catcher. I've never called it because I want to understand the call better before making it.

Batters that take a step or two back and hinder the throw are guilty of interference.

[ozzy6900]

It thoroughly amazes me how some people can take a simple thing and complicate it so damn much! BI is not that hard to recognize if you stop adding all the "what if's" and the "what about" crap. Learn the definition of interference, learn when a batter may and may not vacate the box and you have all you need. It really isn't that hard!