Coaches Interference

[DonP]

Greetings!
Bases Loaded One Out
Batter hits a foul pop fly towards the 3B coaches box. Coach is oblivious to the fact that the ball is in his direction, thinks the ball went to the parking lot, has his back to the field looking for the ball over the fence. The ball is now coming down close to where he is standing, the third baseman is trying to figure out how to get around the coach to make the catch for second out. Ball hits the ground and is declared a foul ball.
Q's
Does coaches interference need to be intentional to be called?

If called, is the batter out, or is the runner closet to home called out and batter continues to bat with an addition to the strike count?

HFHS clearly requires a coach to "vacate" but ASA does not use the same wording. What are the umpires duties and responsibilites here?
Thanks for your thoughts

[DSUAUmpire]

Originally Posted by DonP

Greetings!
Bases Loaded One Out
Batter hits a foul pop fly towards the 3B coaches box. Coach is oblivious to the fact that the ball is in his direction, thinks the ball went to the parking lot, has his back to the field looking for the ball over the fence. The ball is now coming down close to where he is standing, the third baseman is trying to figure out how to get around the coach to make the catch for second out. Ball hits the ground and is declared a foul ball.
Q's
Does coaches interference need to be intentional to be called?

If called, is the batter out, or is the runner closet to home called out and batter continues to bat with an addition to the strike count?

HFHS clearly requires a coach to "vacate" but ASA does not use the same wording. What are the umpires duties and responsibilites here?
Thanks for your thoughts

My call: Interference on the coach, deadball, batter is out and runners return. The coach "not knowing" where the ball is does not allow him to interfere with a fielder attempting to catch a ball. The coach's box is not a sanctuary.

[bluezebra]

"Coaches Interference"

More than one coach interferred?

Bob

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by DSUAUmpire

My call: Interference on the coach, deadball, batter is out and runners return. The coach "not knowing" where the ball is does not allow him to interfere with a fielder attempting to catch a ball. The coach's box is not a sanctuary.

A general rule to remember: when a runner, BR, or batter is called for interference, that player is out. When another team member or coach is called for interference, the runner closest to home is out. Otherwise, I agree with your call. The coach was interfering with the fielder. Intent is not required for that. OTOH, intent is required for interference with a batted or thrown ball.

[rodan55]

Fielder has the ROW to the batted ball. Intent is not required. Runner/BR is resposible for not interfering.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by rodan55

Fielder has the ROW to the batted ball. Intent is not required. Runner/BR is resposible for not interfering.

We are discussing coach interference, not runner.

[rodan55]

Refering to Dakota's note. Same with a coach. They are responsible for avoidibg the fielder.

[fastpitch]

[/quote=Dakota]A general rule to remember: when a runner, BR, or batter is called for interference, that player is out. When another team member or coach is called for interference, the runner closest to home is out. Otherwise, I agree with your call. The coach was interfering with the fielder. Intent is not required for that. OTOH, intent is required for interference with a batted or thrown ball.[/quote]

so R1 on 3B, coach interferes as described, R1 is out and BR strike/foul?