Interference
 

Many officials say that interference always results in a dead ball and an out. What about umpire interference with catcher?

Its a delayed dead ball call. If runner played on is out, ball is alive, if not ..runner must return to base occupied at time of pitch,

Am I wrong?

You are correct. :cool: :)

I understand why most go with the basic rule, because it was at least 26 years before I had the umpire interference call. It can be on a catcher throw; or a batted ball if somehow the ump is in front of the infielders. :eek:

and, I'll save Irish the trouble...
the ball is never alive (it's live).

:)

These are the two types of umpire interference, however only the interference with the catcher's throw is a delayed dead ball. The batted ball hitting the umpire before it passes a fielder is an immediate dead ball.

FWIW, batter interference in NCAA play is no longer an immediate dead ball. It is a delayed dead so that the defense can have the benefit of a more opportune result of the play.

For example, R2 attempts to steal third. Batter leans back into F2 as she tries to throw the ball to third. The contact causes the ball to go into foul territory toward the dugout. F5 chases down the ball as R2 rounds the bag at third, but slips as she tries to stop herself. F5 retrieves the ball, and throws it to F6 covering third, who tags R2 out.

The defense now has the option of taking the results of the play (batter stays up to bat, but R2 is out) or the interference (batter is out, R2 returns to second base).