Dropped 3rd Strike/Interferrence
 

I had this happen in the little league game I called last night. On a dropped 3rd strike, the catcher blocked the (low inside pitch) ball and it went directly to the batters foot as the b/r started toward 1st. I let the play go and the b/r reached 1st safely. The VC asked about interferrence and I informed him that there was no interferrence because while the ball struck the b/r it only did so because of the deflection off the catcher, and the b/r did not intentionally interfer with the play. Was this correct?

Yes.

Absolutely that is the correct call. When the unintentional kick by the BR occurs you should verbalize, "That's nothing" and give the safe sign.

Because you have nothing, you say nothing. The B/R is neither safe nor out so do not signal safe.

MTD, Sr.

Disagree -- doing nothing makes it look like you didn't see it and invites the mgr.'s question.

Signal that you saw it and cut the question off before it happens.

Also, note that OBR made a change to this rule last year -- a change that is confusing to me:

Rule 7.09(a) Comment: If the pitched ball deflects off the catcher or umpire and subsequently
touches the batter-runner, it is not considered interference unless, in the judgment of the umpire, the
batter-runner clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball.

That is an interesting change. Thanks for bringing that up Bob

-Josh

What was the change? Because to ME that seems VERY clear.

It can make the OP interference although most think it shouldn't be. Punishes the innocent.

Sounds like the change allows for an interference call should the BR do something even unintentionally that could prevent the catcher from making a play, such as kicking the loose ball.

I kind of agree - but it would have been clearer had they actually used the word "intentionally".

"hinders" doesn't necessarily require intent - I agree that some umpires are going to read that (and not go to clinics) and think that if the ball hits the batter-runner and ricochets funny, that it hindered the catcher's ability... I don't believe that's what the rules makers wanted.

Bob:

We are going to have to agree to disagree. Along time ago in a different century (and BillyMac, it was the 20th Century and not the 19th Century, LOL) I was given the following advice from a basketball officiating mentor: "You have nothing until you have something."

We have nothing in this play. If the Defensive Head Coach wants to ask a question about it after the play is over, we should entertain and answer his question. It is no different than when we just point toward Fair Territory for a Fair Ball and verbalize a Foul Ball: A Fair Ball is nothing and a Foul Ball is something. Players are supposed to play until we tell them to stop or at least their coaches should be teaching them that. And if their coaches are not teaching them that then shame on their coaches.

MTD, Sr.

If we use the safe signal to show there wasn't interferrence couldn't that be interpreted as we are saying the player is safe and the play is over?

I'm a little confused also but the MLBUM seems to say that is what the rule makers wanted. "it no longer matters if the batter is in the vicinity of home plate...when the infraction occurs."
The MLBUM allows umpire judgement of clearly hindering without referencing intent. "the location of the batter-runner is no longer relevant."

I think there was a play in MLB a month or two ago that was called that way.

Since we are talking about LL we might not have to go with the new OBR change. LL has not changed the wording to reflect the OBR change. However, the RIM never had the "vicinity" exemption in it but I believe that's how LL wanted it called.

Play is never over when we signal Safe, unless something else happened that requires us to kill play and make an announcement. So I don't see how anyone could possibly argue that if we signal Safe while a runner is nowhere near a base, the defense is going to stop playing.

No, it means the player is not yet out on the play.

It is used (and should be used) at all levels. Basketball is different and you shouldn't bring basketball (or football, or hockey, ...) concepts and mechanics to baseball (and vice versa)

A Fair Ball is nothing??

How often have you seen an umpire not give an indication of Fair on a ball down the line? Your suggestion that he give no signal because it's "nothing" is going to be extremely confusing. Everyone one is going to look at the umpire and wait for some indication.

When something out of the ordinary happens that is so close to call one way or the other, the umpire should give an emphatic signal when he renders his judgment. A fan reaches over the fence to grab a live ball and may or may not have touched it, it's best for the umpire to signal Safe to verify to everyone that you didn't see a touch. A batted ball whizzes by a runner and it may or may not have touched him, a Safe signal is warranted if the umpire feels the ball missed him. A fielder makes a diving attempt at a sinking line drive and he may or may not have caught it, a Safe signal is a must if the umpire believes the ball shorthopped into his glove.

By doing nothing, not only does it appear that the umpire didn't see it as Bob mentioned, but it could also affect play in a negative way. Doug Eddings learned that the hard way.

Times change. Perhaps you should consider Bob's advice. It's sound.

Here's this from J/R (see esp. #4):

E. SAFE/OUT 2.00
Safe characterizes a runner who has advanced or returned to a base before he or
the base (when appropriate) is tagged. An umpire voices and signals (or
recognizes without voice or signal) that a runner is safe.
The "safe" signal (both arms extended out to the sides, parallel to the ground) with
appropriate voice is sometimes given to indicate that
(1) an attempt to tag a runner between bases has failed (e.g., rundown1, voice- "no tag!").
(2) a batted, thrown, or pitched ball has struck a barrier but has not become dead due
to lodging, entering DBT, or fan interference (no voice).
(3) an appeal has been denied (voice- "safe" or "he's OK").
(4) interference or obstruction has been a possibility, but does not occur, or contact is
incidental: e.g., batted ball almost strikes a runner, fielder deflects a batted ball
into a runner, runner in a rundown goes out of his way to contact a fielder who is
not protected (voice in these cases- "that's nothing!").

The "play" is not over until time is called by an umpire, interference is committed by an offensive player, or the ball enters DBT. By giving the safe sign, you are communicating that interference hasn't been committed and to play on.