Batter Interference??

[Jboval]

Ok, past ball, R3 steals home, batter stands still in the batter's box, A) throw from catcher to pitcher hits batter in the back or catcher has to go around the batter while trying to tag R3 out, making contact with the batter in his efforts.

What's the call in A and B?

I keep seeing "Batter has to vacate area" but I don't see the support in the book for this directive. I do however see where it says the batter interferes when he leaves the box and interferes with a play. Does this mean if he doesn't leave then he doesn't interfere?

[JaxRolo]

a. OUT

b. OUT

[Jboval]

a. OUT

b. OUT

A rule reference would be nice here. The rule I referred too seems to contradict calling the batter out.

[BrianC14]

Ok, past ball, R3 steals home, batter stands still in the batter's box, A) throw from catcher to pitcher hits batter in the back or catcher has to go around the batter while trying to tag R3 out, making contact with the batter in his efforts.

What's the call in A and B?

I keep seeing "Batter has to vacate area" but I don't see the support in the book for this directive. I do however see where it says the batter interferes when he leaves the box and interferes with a play. Does this mean if he doesn't leave then he doesn't interfere?

A) Nothing.

out.

[mstaylor]

7.11,7.08b,7.09c

Brian, I have an out in both cases. If the catcher catches it then 6.06c is in effect and I agree he doesn't have to move.

Edited April 24, 2010 by mstaylor

[calablue]

I can see how 7.11 could be applied to the throw from catcher to pitcher (Sit A in the OP ) requiring the batter to vacate the space needed to field the throw. And don't get me wrong here, I'm getting an out here for offensive interference, but can someone please point out the rule that requires the batter to vacate the space for a play to be made (as in Sit B in the OP).

[D62 blue]

i would get an out in both situations , batters box is not a sanctuary . the batter after he has had time to react to the play must not interfere . here are some rule reference 7.09 (a) ©"it is interference by a batter or a runner when (a) the batter hinders the catcher in an attempt to field the ball , © before two are out and a runner on third , the batter hinders a fielder in making a play at home base the runner is out, note: if two are out the batter is out no run scores . also 7.08any runner is out when , (g) makes reference to basically the same type of play . also 6.06 a batter is out for illegal action when © interfering with the catchers fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batters box or MAKING ANY OTHER MOVEMENT that hinders the catchers play at home plate . all of this is umpire judgment , there is no mention of intentional in the rule . hope this helps , btw this is from the LL rules instruction manual (RIM) as it is called .

[mstaylor]

I can see how 7.11 could be applied to the throw from catcher to pitcher (Sit A in the OP ) requiring the batter to vacate the space needed to field the throw. And don't get me wrong here, I'm getting an out here for offensive interference, but can someone please point out the rule that requires the batter to vacate the space for a play to be made (as in Sit B in the OP).

Look at the post above your's that I am quoting and that covers when you have to move, 6.06c is when you don't.

[calablue]

Look at the post above your's that I am quoting and that covers when you have to move, 6.06c is when you don't.

Thanks, both books I looked in (OBR and Dixie Baseball) had 7.09c refering to a batter deflecting a ball. Had I looked down 1 more line I would have seen that these books had 7.09d covering that situation. thanks again.

Edited April 25, 2010 by calablue

[D62 blue]

Thanks, both books I looked in (OBR and Dixie Baseball) had 7.09c refering to a batter deflecting a ball. Had I looked down 1 more line I would have seen that these books had 7.09d covering that situation. thanks again.

here is an interesting reference , www.greenbookrules.com . this is an interactive audio/video site for the LL green book 2010 . correct me if im wrong but LL rules is basically obr , with some obvious exceptions pertaining to younger youth and the smaller diamond (majors division and below) juniors,seniors,bigleague division excluded . it is being produced by an umpire in my district , it is very innovative and easy to use . it is not complete yet . most of the rules sections are already live . probably later towards summer it will be completed . there are also some other resource links on the site , including the 2010 rules instruction manual (RIM) . myself the RIM is far more helpful than just rules , due to the instructor comments and real world case situations . and also the much bigger font (aging eyes) for reading . of course LL softball is included . check it out it is really cool !!! if i havent quoted the site url correctly let me know . and any comments about the site let me know, is there any other site similar ? the time and effort this umpire must be putting into this site is impressive . i assume that each year with the minor rules changes he will update . LL district's around the country this could be helpful . D62 blue

Edited April 25, 2010 by D62 blue
add content

[yawetag]

here is an interesting reference , www.greenbookrules.com . this is an interactive audio/video site for the LL green book 2010 . correct me if im wrong but LL rules is basically obr , with some obvious exceptions pertaining to younger youth and the smaller diamond (majors division and below) juniors,seniors,bigleague division excluded . it is being produced by an umpire in my district , it is very innovative and easy to use . it is not complete yet . most of the rules sections are already live . probably later towards summer it will be completed . there are also some other resource links on the site , including the 2010 rules instruction manual (RIM) . myself the RIM is far more helpful than just rules , due to the instructor comments and real world case situations . and also the much bigger font (aging eyes) for reading . of course LL softball is included . check it out it is really cool !!! if i havent quoted the site url correctly let me know . and any comments about the site let me know, is there any other site similar ? the time and effort this umpire must be putting into this site is impressive . i assume that each year with the minor rules changes he will update . LL district's around the country this could be helpful . D62 blue

Not that I really care, but I can't even find an online version of the rule book for Little League. How does Little League feel about someone essentially copying the whole thing for a personal website?

[Jboval]

Here's the exact situation that was described, and the answers given... anyone find problem with the explanations?

No outs, no count on batter, R2 and R3 (Runner on 2nd and 3rd Base). Pitcher delivers pitch to Batter, who swings and misses on a ball in the dirt that deflects off of the glove of the catcher towards the backstop at a strange angle (picture a right handed batter, with the ball rolling off to your left, not straight behind you). Pitcher and R3 immediately break for home. The catcher retrieves the ball and throws to the pitcher who is standing at home plate to try and tag out advancing R3. The batter, A) Not knowing which way the ball went, takes two steps out of the batter's box, and in doing so hinders the catcher in his efforts to get to the ball directly. (It does not matter whether there is contact between the two, or if the catcher has to stop to go around the Batter). The Batter, Stands in place in the batters box, not moving and watching the action happen around him, and is hit by the throw from the catcher to the pitcher. The batter, C) Stands in place, and in the catcher's attempt to throw to the pitcher, the catcher tries to avoid hitting the Batter, and in his efforts, throws the ball wide of the pitcher's reach. The ball rolls out into foul territory, allowing R2, who had advanced during the action, to come home and score along with R3.

What is the ruling for situation A, B and C? Those brave enough to answer, please email back your ruling!

Answer:

Scenario A - Batter is out. Interference by the batter when moving out of the Batter's Box does not have to be intentional to be called. With less than 2 outs, the runner on 3rd (R3) is declared out, R2 is returned to second if he/she has advanced. If two outs, the batter is declared out.

Scenario B - This is not an automatic out. If the catcher makes a poor throw and it hits the batter, but the throw would not have gotten to the pitcher in time to make the out, or in a place to make the out (wild throw), then you can justify calling the runner safe. If the batter is directly between the catcher and the pitcher when he is hit by the ball, and the umpire feels there was a valid chance that the play could have been made had the batter not been in the way, then you can call batter interference, and again, the runner is out with less than two outs, and with two outs, the batter is out.

Scenario C - Just like above, If in trying to throw around the batter, the catcher throws the ball wild, or the pitcher misses catching it because of the batter being in his way, and you feel there was a valid chance that the play could have been made had the batter not been in the way, then you can call batter interference. Again, the runner is out with less than two outs, and with two outs, the batter is out.

Now to clarify a couple issues: If there is a steal happening at home plate during a pitch, the batter has complete right to stay in the box during the play. He can swing at the ball if he so chooses, and if his swing carries him over the plate, you have to give the batter the benefit of the doubt and interference would not be justified in this situation. It is reasonable to have a catcher, seeing the runner coming home on the steal, jump up and interfere with the batter during the pitch, or even in some situations, step forward out of the catchers box to receive the pitch and try to get R3 out on his steal attempt. If the catcher interferes with the batter you would have catcher's interference. If the catcher steps out of the catcher's box before the pitcher delivers (releases) the pitch, then you would have a balk. If the batter hits the ball in either situation and the batter reaches first and all runners advance at least one base, then both infractions are ignored. If the runners and batter do not advance one base safely in the catcher's interference, then the runners would be sent back to their original bases, and the batter would get first base. If the runners and batter do not advance one base safely in the balk, then the runners would advance one base and the pitch would be ignored, and you would proceed with the at bat for the batter.

HOWEVER, if the pitcher steps off the rubber, then throws the ball home in an attempt to retire R3 in his steal, the batter cannot interfere with the catcher in any way. The difference here is in the ball being pitched vs. thrown.

The good rule of thumb in the original scenarios given is this: If the batter has the time to vacate the area, and chooses to stay still, then he has 'intentionally' placed himself at risk of interfering with the play. Do not call him out automatically unless there is definite interference on his part, and had he not been there, you feel that an out was possible.

If the batter does not have a reasonable amount of time to vacate the area, such as a dribbler passed ball that rolls a short distance from the plate, and the catcher gets to it quickly and attempts to throw to a base, but runs into the batter who is still in the box, no interference.

Lastly, if the batter moves out of the box, and interferes in any way with the catcher, whether intentional or not, this would be considered interference, regardless of the situation.

[catoblue]

here is an interesting reference , www.greenbookrules.com . this is an interactive audio/video site for the LL green book 2010 . correct me if im wrong but LL rules is basically obr , with some obvious exceptions pertaining to younger youth and the smaller diamond (majors division and below) juniors,seniors,bigleague division excluded . it is being produced by an umpire in my district , it is very innovative and easy to use . it is not complete yet . most of the rules sections are already live . probably later towards summer it will be completed . there are also some other resource links on the site , including the 2010 rules instruction manual (RIM) . myself the RIM is far more helpful than just rules , due to the instructor comments and real world case situations . and also the much bigger font (aging eyes) for reading . of course LL softball is included . check it out it is really cool !!! if i havent quoted the site url correctly let me know . and any comments about the site let me know, is there any other site similar ? the time and effort this umpire must be putting into this site is impressive . i assume that each year with the minor rules changes he will update . LL district's around the country this could be helpful . D62 blue

That's an awesome website. I don't think they will get into trouble, since it is not a reproduction of the rule book, rather a training presentation. I hope you don't mind, but I'm putting a link to it on my forums as well. This looks like a great resource. It's a shame Willaimsport doesn't provide material like this. Not everyone can make it to a training in WP or one of the Regional HQ's and material like this goes a long way toward making better umpires.

Thanks for posting the link!!!!

[D62 blue]

glad u like it . hope others on this group do as well . spread the word , this guy has a great idea . hopefully this summer he will finish the rest of the rules .

[yawetag]

I don't think they will get into trouble, since it is not a reproduction of the rule book, rather a training presentation.

Each page is a direct copy of the rule. I'd argue it is a reproduction.

I think it's a great site, but I can see LL getting a thorn in their butt over it.

[mstaylor]

Here's the exact situation that was described, and the answers given... anyone find problem with the explanations?

No outs, no count on batter, R2 and R3 (Runner on 2nd and 3rd Base). Pitcher delivers pitch to Batter, who swings and misses on a ball in the dirt that deflects off of the glove of the catcher towards the backstop at a strange angle (picture a right handed batter, with the ball rolling off to your left, not straight behind you). Pitcher and R3 immediately break for home. The catcher retrieves the ball and throws to the pitcher who is standing at home plate to try and tag out advancing R3. The batter, A) Not knowing which way the ball went, takes two steps out of the batter's box, and in doing so hinders the catcher in his efforts to get to the ball directly. (It does not matter whether there is contact between the two, or if the catcher has to stop to go around the Batter). The Batter, Stands in place in the batters box, not moving and watching the action happen around him, and is hit by the throw from the catcher to the pitcher. The batter, C) Stands in place, and in the catcher's attempt to throw to the pitcher, the catcher tries to avoid hitting the Batter, and in his efforts, throws the ball wide of the pitcher's reach. The ball rolls out into foul territory, allowing R2, who had advanced during the action, to come home and score along with R3.

What is the ruling for situation A, B and C? Those brave enough to answer, please email back your ruling!

Answer:

Scenario A - Batter is out. Interference by the batter when moving out of the Batter's Box does not have to be intentional to be called. With less than 2 outs, the runner on 3rd (R3) is declared out, R2 is returned to second if he/she has advanced. If two outs, the batter is declared out.

Scenario B - This is not an automatic out. If the catcher makes a poor throw and it hits the batter, but the throw would not have gotten to the pitcher in time to make the out, or in a place to make the out (wild throw), then you can justify calling the runner safe. If the batter is directly between the catcher and the pitcher when he is hit by the ball, and the umpire feels there was a valid chance that the play could have been made had the batter not been in the way, then you can call batter interference, and again, the runner is out with less than two outs, and with two outs, the batter is out.

Scenario C - Just like above, If in trying to throw around the batter, the catcher throws the ball wild, or the pitcher misses catching it because of the batter being in his way, and you feel there was a valid chance that the play could have been made had the batter not been in the way, then you can call batter interference. Again, the runner is out with less than two outs, and with two outs, the batter is out.

Now to clarify a couple issues: If there is a steal happening at home plate during a pitch, the batter has complete right to stay in the box during the play. He can swing at the ball if he so chooses, and if his swing carries him over the plate, you have to give the batter the benefit of the doubt and interference would not be justified in this situation. It is reasonable to have a catcher, seeing the runner coming home on the steal, jump up and interfere with the batter during the pitch, or even in some situations, step forward out of the catchers box to receive the pitch and try to get R3 out on his steal attempt. If the catcher interferes with the batter you would have catcher's interference. If the catcher steps out of the catcher's box before the pitcher delivers (releases) the pitch, then you would have a balk. If the batter hits the ball in either situation and the batter reaches first and all runners advance at least one base, then both infractions are ignored. If the runners and batter do not advance one base safely in the catcher's interference, then the runners would be sent back to their original bases, and the batter would get first base. If the runners and batter do not advance one base safely in the balk, then the runners would advance one base and the pitch would be ignored, and you would proceed with the at bat for the batter.

HOWEVER, if the pitcher steps off the rubber, then throws the ball home in an attempt to retire R3 in his steal, the batter cannot interfere with the catcher in any way. The difference here is in the ball being pitched vs. thrown.

The good rule of thumb in the original scenarios given is this: If the batter has the time to vacate the area, and chooses to stay still, then he has 'intentionally' placed himself at risk of interfering with the play. Do not call him out automatically unless there is definite interference on his part, and had he not been there, you feel that an out was possible.

If the batter does not have a reasonable amount of time to vacate the area, such as a dribbler passed ball that rolls a short distance from the plate, and the catcher gets to it quickly and attempts to throw to a base, but runs into the batter who is still in the box, no interference.

Lastly, if the batter moves out of the box, and interferes in any way with the catcher, whether intentional or not, this would be considered interference, regardless of the situation.

Either I am reading this answer wrong or the answer to the siitch is comppletely wrong and rules of thumb is inconsistant.