Batters Box

[chapmaja]

I'm not a baseball ump (except Rec League). I would have to say INT on this play, if the batter hindered the catcher's attempt to catch or tag the runner. If he did not hinder or interfere with the catcher, it can't be interference because he never interfered. If the catcher could not catch the ball, it would be interference if the act was intentional or not. Why? At the point the delayed steal occurred the batter had time to get himself out of the way of the incoming runner (assuming a RH batter) and the throw from the pitcher to the catcher.

Had this been a steal on a pitch, rather than a delayed steal I would say no INT, but on a delayed steal, the batter has to get out of the way of the play.

Also, I could be wrong, but in this case wouldn't the batter (who interfered) be out for interference, rather than the runner, since it was the batter who interfered?