On Deck Rules Question

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by atlitp4785

Last night at my son's (14 yr old Pony league) game he was in the on deck circle. The batter hit a foul tip over the fence (20 feet high). The trajectory of the ball was right over my son's head while standing in the on deck circle. The catcher ran over to attempt to catch the ball, even though it was over the fence and foul, and pushed my son out of the way as he also looked up at the ball.
The umpire called my son for interference and the batter out.
None of the coaches have ever seen such a play and did not argue the call.


Is this the correct call?

No, this was not the correct call. As others have stated, there was no way that F2 was going to catch this ball so the umpire was incorrect in assessing the penalty. Teach your son to do what we do. When he is on deck, if the ball is hit. watch F2, not the ball. F2 will lead you to where the ball is so if F2 is coming at him, move out of the way!

You were given several rules to look up which is good but in this case, this is a situation where the umpire needs to use his head. The ball is sailing over the fence so there can be no interference from a player - it's that simple. Also, stop sounding like an announcer. That was a foul ball not a foul tip. Foul tips are caught by F2 (usually) and the ball is live. Foul balls are always dead.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Foul tips are caught by F2 (usually) and the ball is live.

For NCAA and FED (not sure about OBR), foul tips cannot be caught by anyone but F2.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

For NCAA and FED (not sure about OBR), foul tips cannot be caught by anyone but F2.

MLBUM says it must be caught by the catcher.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

For NCAA and FED (not sure about OBR), foul tips cannot be caught by anyone but F2.

FED just changed this in the past few years, too, which is probably why ozzy misspoke.