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.