Batter Interference

[oregonjack]

Scene: ASA girls softball. Runner on second, pitcher throws pitch, batter lunges at pitch and front foot steps out of batter's box into "fair territory". Runner steals third, catcher make an unobstructive throw to third, umpire call runner safe. Opposing coach then tell umpire that batter's front foot was out of the box and in fair territory. On that basis umpire now reverses call and calls batter out, then batting team's coach talks to umpire and umpire reverses who is out by calling out runner on third. Questions: 1. Is it AUTOMATIC "batter interference" on a catcher attempting a throw IF the batter has a foot in "fair territory" regardless as to whether there was "actual" interference? 1A. If not, does that batter have to be out of the box AND actually "interfere" with the throw? 2. Given the scenario above, is there a basis for an "appeal"? Thanks for your consideration and comments.

[mcrowder]

Didn't we just do this one?

[oregonjack]

I'm new. If you already did this one, what is the answer?

[TexBlue]

Originally posted by oregonjack
Pursuant to ASA rules,what's the call and nuances/discretion, if any, of the umpire? Runner at second, batter lunges forward to swing with front foot momentarily steppping out of batter's box into "fair territory". Runner steals third, catcher attempts throw, runner beats throw with such throw unimpeded by catcher; intially called safe by umpire. Opposing coach argues with Umpire alledging "batter interference" by sole virtue that batter had stepped our of batter's box (ie, one foot). Umpire reverses call, calls batter out. After discussion with both coaches, Umpire now calls runner out and "recalls" batter from dugout to resume batting. Questions Preface: I understand that IF there is batter interference, the runner (s?) is out as they should not be advantaged from the batter's interference. Questions: 1. If a batter steps out of the batter's box when the catcher is attempting a throw on an attempted stolen base, is the runner AUTOMATICALLY out, regardless of whether the batter impeded the catcher's throw? 2. Assuming that "stepping out" is an automatic out, does it matter "which way" a batter steps out, ie, into fair or foul territory? Said differently, is any attempted throw by a catcher at a stealing runner an automatic out if the batter has a foot outside the batter's box. 3. Is there any discretion by the umpire? 3. If an umpire reverses his initial decision (calling the runner safe), then calls the batter out, then reverses and calls the runner out, under ASA rules, is there an appeal process? For all of those who had the patience to read all this and opine, thanks. Any citations to the ASA rules would be appreciated. In the unlikely event any of you found this interesting, I have several equally esoteric rule questions. - Oregonjack

Apparently you posted it twice. Several posts are on the other topic. I suggest you delete this post if possible and go to the other one.

[Skahtboi]

Yeah...because it was just discussed ad naseaum on the other thread!