On-deck Batter Hit by Thrown Ball

[bbsbvb83]

Here is my take on the situation in the OP...

The reason, or at least one reason, the ball contacted the on-deck batter is because of the poor throw from F8. In my opinion, just because the on-deck batter is hit with F8's poor throw does not, in and of itself, constitute interference on the part of the on-deck batter as it does not automatically meet the definition of interference. NFHS rule 2-32-1 defines interference as "an act by a member of the team at bat who illegally impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder..." Simply being hit by a poorly thrown ball does not necessarily impede, hinder, or confuse any fielder. In fact, depending on how the ball deflects off the on-deck batter, the defense could potentially benefit as a result. As such, I do not think we can automatically rule interference has occurred in the OP, but it is certainly a possibility. Unfortunately, the NFHS has not seen fit to provide any specific guidance regarding rule 7-5-4 or the corresponding penalties in the case book.

Some posters seem to believe that interference and an immediate dead ball should be ruled any time the on-deck batter is hit by a thrown ball. For those posters, please consider the following play which happened during an error-filled junior high game with light rain.

Runner at third base only with one out. Ground ball to F5. Runner begins to advance to home plate as F5 fields the ground ball. F5 makes a sidearm throw, but the slick ball slips from her hand and is thrown on a line from F5 to the on-deck circle where the on-deck batter is struck in the helmet. The on-deck circle is half way between home plate and third base and twenty feet from the third base line. At the time the ball hit the on-deck batter, the runner was well over half way home.

Would you rule interference in the above situation also?