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I believe the issue is when does the batter become a batter-runner? Is it when the pitch is called ball 4, or hit, or dropped strike 3, or is it when they begin to run (as an acknowledgement that the time at bat has ended)? There are certain protections offered in the batters box that rules provide, and yes, even to a batter-runner. One example is a batted ball that hits the batter in the batters box, even if in fair territory. As a purist, except for the rule exception, that would/could/should be interference. The ball has been hit, but this is still a batter.
If you apply the same logic, it would appear that the batter doesn't become a batter-runner until he/she begins to run, or that MAY be one interpretation; if that is the case, then actions while still in the batters box are protected as a batter, and that interference requires intent.
The above is for the sake of discussion. I am not all that convinced it is or should be the rule, but that is the gist of the rulings and interpretations heard to this point.
[Edited by AtlUmpSteve on Apr 30th, 2005 at 05:47 PM]
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Sat Apr 30, 2005, 04:11pm
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