'Slapper' Batter/Runner interference question

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

Which leads to this question:
So why does the book specifically mention being 'out of the box'. Why would that matter (being in or out of the box)? in terms of the current definition of interference mentioned in this thread.

shouldn't it simply read 'the batter/runner interferes with a thrown ball' and leave it at that?

That originated (as best I understand it) to cover the following (or a similar) situation: R1 on 3rd, 3-1 count, pitch is ball 4. Catcher attempts a pickoff throw to third base, and the throw hits the (now) batter-runner, who has not yet left the batter's box, but was turning to drop the bat.

ASA 7-6.Q would appear to consider that action actively (albeit not intentionally) interfering with the thrown ball. But, this is no longer a batter, it is a batter-runner. So, absent intent, could it be interference? The purpose of "out of the box" is to indicate that the transition from batter to batter-runner may not be instantaneous, and that while still in the box, some added protection is available for a nonintentional act; once out of the box, however, the act is the determining factor.