Batter-Runner on uncaught 3rd strike and loose ball

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Manny A

You're missing Irish's point.

You don't have a batter on an uncaught third strike. By rule, you now have a batter-runner. That's why you cannot use rule 7 to make your point, because rule 8 applies to batter-runners. There is nothing in rule 7-4-4 that applies to batter-runners.

I will just end my participation in this discussion with this. There is not way I am calling interfence on a batter (or batter runner if you wish), when the ball immediately bounces off the catcher and the batter (or batter runner), has had no opportunity to avoid the ball bouncing back and hitting her.

As I said above, I am not penalizing the offence because the defense can't stop a pitched ball that happens to be stopped that immediately bounces off the catcher and hit the batters leg who has done nothing to alter their position from the natural position as a batter.

We need to be realistic with these rules. This is not difference than interference by a retired runner being applied. I'm not penalizing a retired runner for interference unless there has been some reason to know that have been retired. As an example, a situation where there is one out, a runner on second base and a 2 strike count. A pitch that is low and may or may not have been caught might confuse a batter. I will not penalize the batter-runner for taking steps towards first base if they aren't sure it has been caught or not. Once I announce it was caught, and then if they keep running and draw a throw, I will penalize them (i think this is a casebook play).

I have a big problem with penalizing someone who due to the circumstances of the play (as with the ball bouncing immediately off the catchers skingaurds and the batters leg ) can't avoid the "interference" Once they have knowledge or the play and then they interfere ding them.

We need to umpire based on the rules and common sense, because sometimes the rules and commons sense don't agree.