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Rocky
290 Posts |
 Posted - 05/18/2009 : 14:21:30
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Saw this in the 10U triple crown event, wanted to get opinions.
Base runner on 2B, 1 out runner steals 3B, batter backs into catcher throwing to 3B. Shouldn't the batter be out for interference and runner be sent back to 2B? I think one of the coaches was agruing you call the runner out? I thought it was cut and dry the batter is out and runner returns, unless the catcher threw out the runner then the interference isn't called and the runner is just out with no penalty to the batter> |
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goyard
217 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 16:02:53
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| Here is a casebook play: 1 out, R2 (runner on second). R2 attempts to steal third. The batter tries to get out of the catcher's way by stepping out of the batter's box; however, the batter's movement hinders the catcher's throw. The runner is safe at third. There was no intent to interfere. RULING: Intent is not relevant. The batter is out for the interference and the runner must return to second. |
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Mike Corbin
523 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 16:16:54
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| I believe the runner is out and the at bat continues. The batter had the right to be any where inside the batters box. Once he gets outside of the box and the catcher has to alter his throw or is hit by the throw then the runner would be out. |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 16:37:14
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From Wikipedia related to Offensive Interference:
If the interference was committed by a batter or a baserunner, that player is called out and all other runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the interference.
The only time the runner would be called out is if the batter swung at strike 3, making him out, then interfered with the throw to 3b. In that circumstance, the runner would be out too, just like with interference while breaking up a double play between 2B and 1B. |
Edited by - Dr. Old School on 05/18/2009 18:42:22 |
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Tball
142 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 16:52:51
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| Rocky ... It is my understanding that it is only batter interference if the batter is OUT of the batters box on a play other than home. |
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longhorn1
63 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 17:32:00
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| The runner is out. The batter cannot leave the box but does have the right to maintain stance or follow through if swinging. |
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bambino_dad
119 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2009 : 18:31:10
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Any obstruction or attempt to interfere with a catcher's throw to a base by a batter can be reasonably called batter interference. But it's only interference if the ump calls it. Did he call it?
You said the batter "backs into" the catcher. Insufficient. The umpire must call "Interference!" - if he did, the ruling (6.06?) on a batter interference is a dead ball, batter is out, and the runner(s) return to their bases. Runners may not advance on a batter's interference call, but the ump must call it - and preferably when it happens and not minutes later!
And you are correct, should the catcher actually throw out the runner then that runner is out. However, if it was a double steal attempt, the other runner is entitled to the stolen base. Only if an out was recorded at a base can the batter remain at bat (unless, of course, the pitch resulted in a strikeout). |
Edited by - bambino_dad on 05/18/2009 18:42:22 |
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Rocky
290 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 07:05:31
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| So alot of people are still confused. I can't see penalizing a runner for a batter interfering. |
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Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 08:42:17
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| The runner has to be penalized for the batter's interference because it affected their ability to steal the base. Their penalty, however, is to just go back to the previous bag. The batter is the most penalized with being called out. |
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rock44melnix
110 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 09:41:32
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| The runner certainly could be called out if in the judgment of the umpire, had the interference not occured that the runner would have been put out on his steal attempt. Absolutely a judgment call by ump for both calls here. BTW, the batters box is not an absolute sanctuary for the batter just because it's a batter's box. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 09:57:05
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IF the ump calls batter interference, runner goes back to the base and batter is out. Saw this called 2x at the HS level this season.
What constitutes interference is essentially another question. Maybe someone can clarify that issue. I know in the instances that happened in HS this year, once the batter was completing his swing and was still called for interference. On the other, pitch was low and inside, batter scooted his legs back to avoid the pitch causing his upper body to fall forward over the plate. Interference called by PU. Batter out, runner back to base.
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rock44melnix
110 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 11:01:24
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Batter's interference is mostly covered in Sec 7 - the runner can be called out as I stated earlier upon judgment of the umpire but to do so, must be 3rd strike call on batter otherwise runner is returned to base at time of pitch (7-3-5). On a play where the runner is attempting to steal home the runner is declared out if less than two outs and there's batter's interference regardless of the strike count on the batter (7-3-5). If there are two runners advancing and it's strike 3 call w/batter's interference, runner closest to home can be called out if umpire's judgment is that F2 could've made a put out on a runner.
Interference by batter is an intentional act that interferes with the catcher's attempt to field the ball (this is where umps judgment comes into play). Batter can't interfere w/catcher's fielding or throwing and must make a reasonable effort as the rule book states to move out of an area when there is a play at the plate. Examples are leaning over the plate, crossing the plate, stepping out of the batter's box. |
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gasbag
281 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 12:48:50
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USUALLY, ( emphasis on usually ! )the PU will not call interference if the batter is within the batters box. However, I'm seeing more and more tournaments where there is NO DEFINED batters box. This makes it much harder on the PU to make the call. I've also seen the PU call interference when the batter is facing the catcher and steps the same way that the catcher steps. It may be inadvertent by the batter, but because he's facing the catcher, the PU thinks he should be able to move out of the way. If he's facing away from the catcher, the PU is much less likely to make an interference call.
Rule of thumb for catchers, learn to throw through the batter ( not in actuality, but force the contact ). This will draw the interference call almost every time. |
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baseball37
26 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 13:48:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Rocky
Saw this in the 10U triple crown event, wanted to get opinions.
Base runner on 2B, 1 out runner steals 3B, batter backs into catcher throwing to 3B. Shouldn't the batter be out for interference and runner be sent back to 2B? I think one of the coaches was agruing you call the runner out? I thought it was cut and dry the batter is out and runner returns, unless the catcher threw out the runner then the interference isn't called and the runner is just out with no penalty to the batter>
Point of contention here is WAS batter's interference called? Batter has the right to remain in the box and if the catcher's throw hits the batter it is NOT interference. If interference was not called play continues.
By the way...I saw this play and the batter was definitely in the box (although no batter's box was actually lined out on the field - and by rule, if no batter's box is lined out - there is NO batter's box. You cannot call a batter out for stepping out of the batter's box. You can ask field crew why they left out the batter's box) |
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loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 20:50:27
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| LOMAX MUST BE RETIRED.................. |
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bambino_dad
119 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2009 : 14:57:32
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Like just about everybody who's posted, I've seen this play happen about a half dozen times. But baseball skews to the defense in most judgment calls like this one. It's never a precise point on the playing field but the catcher, as the defender, has the "right-of-way" to make a throw to 3b - superceding the batter's right to the batter's box. Depending on where the pitch was caught this could mean the front, middle, or back of the box.
A reasonable effort by a batter to avoid interference would simply constitute recognizing the catcher's right to throw without obstruction from him and getting out of the way. A throwing "lane" from C to 3b must be unobstructed.
Advice to batter? Just don't get hit by the throw or the throwing motion or you're out! |
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stinger
120 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2009 : 22:51:26
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6.06 A batter is out for illegal action when-
(c) He interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home base.
EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batter's interference. If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call "interference." The batter is out and the ball dead. No player may advance on such interference (offensive interference) and all runners must return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference. If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner is out_not the batter. Any other runners on the base at the time may advance as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called. If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing before the catcher has securely held the ball, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play. |
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goyard
217 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2009 : 10:20:29
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One common and correct denominator here ...it lies solely in the hands and judgement of Mr. Blue  |
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Batters Interference
