Batter throws bat

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

It's a pitch. The batter has an irrevocable right to attempt to hit it as long as he/she remains in a legal hitting position. If the catcher gets in the way of the attempt it's CI/CO.

Any batter can easily club the catcher while remaining in the batter's box. I hope you're not calling CI on that.

This is something that is not contemplated by the rules. The closest thing I can find is 6.05(h) Comment (even if the catcher is hit in foul territory).

You could also call it weak INT - add a strike and return the runners.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Any batter can easily club the catcher while remaining in the batter's box. I hope you're not calling CI on that.

I'm not, because that would be pretty obvious to see, IMO.

I'm talking about a batter who is trying to protect a runner on a steal, and the pitcher throws a pitch-out to the catcher. Most catchers simply move to the side to receive the pitch, so they shouldn't put themselves in the path of the bat if the batter tries to make contact with the pitch-out.

But I agree with Rich. The catcher who moves to the side and then up on the pitch-out (assuming he's that fast) would be liable for CI (or CO in FED) because he's taking away a legitimate attempt to strike at the ball.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by Manny A

The catcher who moves to the side and then up on the pitch-out (assuming he's that fast) would be liable for CI (or CO in FED) because he's taking away a legitimate attempt to strike at the ball.

You are making an argument for throwing the bat at the catcher on every pitch-out.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

You are making an argument for throwing the bat at the catcher on every pitch-out.

Not really. A great actor might succeed in this once, and as I said, if the catcher only moved sideways (and not up) I'd be unlikely to believe that this was an attempt to hit the ball. But say they do it... and then later do it again - doubt as to whether this was actually an attempt to hit the ball would be vastly increased.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

You are making an argument for throwing the bat at the catcher on every pitch-out.

You're putting words in my mouth. I never ever said it was legal for the batter to throw his bat at the catcher. I said it was legal for the batter to attempt to hit any pitch, even if he has to toss his bat at the ball. There is nothing written anywhere that says a batter cannot attempt to hit pitch-outs.

Besides, if the catcher only moved sideways for the pitch-out as they normally do, it would be an easy call if the batter threw his bat and hit him--batter's interference all the way. That is probably why catchers move that way to begin with.