Batter Interference

[RefBob]

I was recently told by some more senior officials that in order to have batter interference under NFHS Rule 7-4-4 with the catcher making a play on a runner you had to have either physical contact by the batter against the catcher or an actual throw by the catcher. This was not my original thinking. Thoughts?
Thanks.

[teebob21]

Contact or an actual throw is not required. The case book has a few good examples.

The line in the case book that is most generically relevant is [the batter] "is entitled to her position in the batter's box unless she moves or re-establishes her position after F2 has received the pitch, which then prevents F2 from attempting to play on a runner. Failing to move so that the catcher can make a throw is not batter interference." (emphasis mine)

In other words: An act which prevents F2 from executing or attempting a play on a base runner is batter INT. The act does not have to be intentional. Of course, if there is no attempt by F2 to actually make a play, then there is no INT.

[RefBob]

Thanks. This confirms my original understanding that actual physical contact by the batter or an actual throw by the catcher is not always required.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by RefBob

Thanks. This confirms my original understanding that actual physical contact by the batter or an actual throw by the catcher is not always required.

There was a video from a high school game a few years ago about this. IIRC the situation was as follows.

R1 on 2nd, B2 at the plate. R1 is attempting to steal on the play. Pitch comes in F2 catches then attempts a throw to F5 at third. B2 is still standing in the batters box and gets drilled with the pitch in the side of the helmet, which immediately dropped her. PU immediately kills the play due to concern about the batter getting hit with the throw.

Umpires get together and rule R1 safe at third base. Since the batter had not moved from her position in the batter's box it couldn't be interference. IIRC the batter ended up with a concussion from the throw and had to leave the game as well.

[bigdogtx]

Had BI yesterday on first pitch. Popped straight up, batter just stands there and catcher cannot reach around/through her to make catch. Crowd screams “she’s protected in the batters box”. (actually had contact, but not needed)

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by bigdogtx

Had BI yesterday on first pitch. Popped straight up, batter just stands there and catcher cannot reach around/through her to make catch. Crowd screams “she’s protected in the batters box”. (actually had contact, but not needed)

Batter-Runner, not the batter anymore. Still out. Different rule.

[bigdogtx]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Batter-Runner, not the batter anymore. Still out. Different rule.

Yeah, coach even wondered why she just stood there and watched it. Early in the year I guess. Probably went 30’ up according to BU.

[jmkupka]

USA tourney Delaware this weekend, 16U semis...

R1 on 2B, hit and run, B2 squares and has to reach for the outside pitch. Her follow-through carries her out of the BB into the front of the plate.

F2, who goes wide right to make the throw, now has the batter directly between her and 3B. Her throw is semi-aborted lands on the ground beyond the batter.

No contact anywhere, but I had no problem calling INT on B2.

[parrothead]

seems like more and more unless there is contact, calls are not getting made. Had a tourney this weekend and one brutal missed call.

Wild Pitch/Passed ball, batter comes out of the box probably 6-8 feet forward towards the pitcher and is standing there, my pitcher running in stops and goes around her my catcher just flipped ball but P in the avoidance of the player in no mans land - late getting there and runner safe.

Asked ump, he asked for help said they "saw nothing", but then again these two missed a ball that landed right on the chalk over 3B. Was not their best day.

But I can say that I have seen probably 20-30 instances in last several seasons where I would say Intereference on batter would of been appropriate call, but no contact, no call.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

USA tourney Delaware this weekend, 16U semis...

R1 on 2B, hit and run, B2 squares and has to reach for the outside pitch. Her follow-through carries her out of the BB into the front of the plate.

F2, who goes wide right to make the throw, now has the batter directly between her and 3B. Her throw is semi-aborted lands on the ground beyond the batter.

No contact anywhere, but I had no problem calling INT on B2.

Curious as to why the catcher wasn't just throwing right down the baseline instead of trying to go around the batter

[jmkupka]

the pitch was wide, pulling the batter and the catcher to the right. Both of their momentums (momenta?) kept them in the same alignment to 3B.