Definitely HTBT. From the OP, I picture batter and catcher standing still for a few seconds watching the ball spin, then pretty much simultaneously waking up and starting to do what they are supposed to do. I also picture the contact occurring close to home plate, in the BR's first step or two, not several steps up the 1B line. So no INT.

No running lane violation, since the BR had not reached the beginning of the running lane.

What is the call when the catcher is not doing what she is supposed to do?
 

Mike,

Suppose the catcher pushes the batter-runner out of her way? What's the call? Since she is playing a batted ball we can't get her for obstruction.

If any of us were in the stands when this play occurred we would all agree that whatever the call it was the right call. Later, at the bar (or in this forum) we might ask what would you call. I think as described the catcher was interfered with when she attempted to field a batted ball.
1) But the batter was in the batter’s box – irrelevant, the batter’s box does not protect the batter from interference (or the catcher from obstruction).
2) But the play took a long time to develop – irrelevant, time is not an element to any play (but timing is).
These are questions the coach is going to ask, “Where is my batter supposed to go?” or “How long would you like the BR to wait for the catcher to clear before attempting to advance to 1B?:rolleyes: ”
Guess what I don’t know or care. All I do know is that the batter will be called out if she interferes with the catcher while the catcher is in the act of fielding the batted ball.

Bugg

Then it would be my judgment as to OBS. If the C is playing the BR, she isn't playing the ball. Depending on how violent the push was, I might even have UC.

I like that answer!
 

Thanks! I like that answer, not that my liking it matters, but it sure makes it easier to explain that call to a coach when you believe in the reasoning behind it.

Where in the rule book does it say what the batter is supposed to be, or must be doing? As long as the BR is not intentionally interefering with the defense, can't the BR opt to remain in the batter's box? What about the BR who remains in the box to watch a fly ball?

She'll probably have a coach yelling at her to run.

Ah come on, they're only
OOOOOOOps, wrong thread.:D

LOL

push=UC ..... Violent push= MC and E=MC2