Batter's interference

[IndianaUmp]

I know that with less than two out I can call a runner stealing home out on batter's interference, but is there any other situation in which I can do that? Here's why I ask: Couple weeks ago in a summer hs instructional league game, I've got an 0-2 count on a right-handed batter, no outs, and a runner on first. Pitcher throws an outside curveball and batter fishes for it and misses, leaning over plate as he does so. To make matters worse, he just keeps going toward his dugout (1st base), running right in front of the catcher, who sees runner with a big lead and tries to pick him off. No contact, but definitely BI as the catcher has to hesitate as he tries to throw around him. Needless to say, the runner makes it back easily. The usual penalty, of course, is to call the runner out and send a stealing runner back to original base. But the batter is already out on the K, and the runner wasn't stealing, just ripe for a pick-off. If I think the BI caused the catcher not to pick off the runner, can I call the runner out since the batter is already out? Or just let the play stand?

[gixxershane]

I would say call R1 out too, under the same rule as runner interfierence in relation to a double play.

But than again, this is my second year doing this so I could be wrong, but that is how I would call the situation as described above :angel4:

[Mr Umpire]

7.09(e) in OBR. Runner is out if the batter hinders a play on a runner after being retired. So, if in your judgment, there was a play attempt and F2 held up b/c of the batter. Then, you have R1 out for INT of a teammate who was retired.

[gixxershane]

Waaaaa whooooooo, I woulda made the right call!!

This site is such a helpful resource for situational awareness and rule interpretations.

Thanks to all :)

[IndianaUmp]

Thanks, Mr. Umpire! I made a no-call, which didn't cause any problems--maybe because it was just an instructional game--but I worried about it later and asked several more experienced umps for their opinions. (I've done mostly LL and Koufax games for about four years.) About half said I could call the runner out, and the other half said no--a couple quite emphatically. The rule you cited in OBR is clear, but I will check out the FED rule now to see what it says.

[IndianaUmp]

Found it! FED rule 8-4-2 g: "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner including the batter-runner interferes in any way and prevents a double play anywhere, two shall be declared out (the runner who interfered and the other runner involved)." Still, I think I would have to be pretty convinced that, in the situation in my OP, the runner they were trying to pick off was really going to be nailed. Agree?

[Mr Umpire]

I would agree but only so far as to the defense has a play. Doesn't mean he would have definitely been out. Just the defense had a shot, even on a close play. But, the defense has to have a play. If the runner is 2 steps off the base, then no INT. Strictly judgment.

[noumpere]

Found it! FED rule 8-4-2 g: "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner including the batter-runner interferes in any way

You're close, but you didn't have a batter-runner. Keep reading the same rule. Also, see 7.3.5C

[Ump Rube]

Outs: 2

Runner: R2 (stealing)

Batter: 3-? count

Pitch: outside for ball 4

BR begins to walk towards 1B, F2 upon catching the ball outside continues up the line another step and cocks to throw to 3B, but now the BR is in front of him. He takes another step up and this time fires, as the BR now realizes where F2 is and stops. The throw is on the mark, but just a little late (definitely a close play), my BU rules him safe. I call INT on the BR and call him out.

Was I correct, or is BI no longer "valid" as this is a BR on a BB? :D

Edited July 17, 2009 by Ump Rube
Clarification

[mstaylor]

Outs: 2

Runner: R2 (stealing)

Batter: 3-? count

Pitch: outside for ball 4

BR begins to walk towards 1B, F2 upon catching the ball outside continues up the line another step and cocks to throw to 3B, but now the BR is in front of him. He takes another step up and this time fires, as the BR now realizes where F2 is and stops. The throw is on the mark, but just a little late (definitely a close play), my BU rules him safe. I call INT on the BR and call him out.

Was I correct, or is BI no longer "valid" as this is a BR on a BB?

It sounds like you have a BR going to first. Now when he stopped, if you rule it as an intention to interfere then you would call him out and return the runner. I would think it would have to be pretty obvious to make that call.

[jnazz]

I know that with less than two out I can call a runner stealing home out on batter's interference, but is there any other situation in which I can do that? Here's why I ask: Couple weeks ago in a summer hs instructional league game, I've got an 0-2 count on a right-handed batter, no outs, and a runner on first. Pitcher throws an outside curveball and batter fishes for it and misses, leaning over plate as he does so. To make matters worse, he just keeps going toward his dugout (1st base), running right in front of the catcher, who sees runner with a big lead and tries to pick him off. No contact, but definitely BI as the catcher has to hesitate as he tries to throw around him. Needless to say, the runner makes it back easily. The usual penalty, of course, is to call the runner out and send a stealing runner back to original base. But the batter is already out on the K, and the runner wasn't stealing, just ripe for a pick-off. If I think the BI caused the catcher not to pick off the runner, can I call the runner out since the batter is already out? Or just let the play stand?

I personally would have a hard time making the Interference call with no contact in this situation, unless there's obvious intent by the retired batter. I think this would be a tough sell. Anyone else?

[th3]

is there a general way to look at BI regarding intent, in/out of batters box, etc....for example, runner on 3rd...what actions (or inactions) would constitute BI in hindering the cathers throw to 3rd...lets say the ball is in the dirt, the batter steps back out of the box to get out of the potential play at the plate, ans she/he winds up right in the catchers line? ... what if the catcher does not throw because of that?

how about after a walk....the step back to toss their bat over to the 3rd base dugout, and again, wind up right in the catchers line who started to try to pickoff 3B but doesnt...or double clutches and moves and then throws late

[Mr Umpire]

BI has nothing to do with intent. If the batter steps out and hinders F2, then it is BI.

INT by a retired player requires no intent.

Much of BI is timing and judgment. If the batter has time to get out of the way, then INT can be called. If the batter leaves the box and hinders F2, BI should be called. The only exception I have to that is if the defense caused the batter to leave the box such as a pitch straight at his ribs that he has to get out of the way of.

You just have to watch the batter's movements and see how it affects F2. This is one of those things you have to see to be able to call. There is no way to cover every instance of what might be or not.

[CTS]

I know that with less than two out I can call a runner stealing home out on batter's interference, but is there any other situation in which I can do that?

Why does it matter how many outs there are, you can make this call at anytime regarless of the amount of outs, can't you?

[Mr Umpire]

Why does it matter how many outs there are, you can make this call at anytime regarless of the amount of outs, can't you?

No. If it is a play at any other base, only the batter is out regardless of number of outs and runners go back to base at TOP.

If it is a play at HP, then it depends on the number of outs as to whether the runner or the batter is out. Less than 2 outs, runner is out and all other runners return to their base at TOP. 2 outs, batter is out.