Was this batter interference?

[Greenhill]

I was umping a boys minor league game. The pitcher threw a past ball, the batter took a few confused steps out of the box and towards the pitcher, runner on third scored. The pitcher avoided the batter but did not get past him. I could not see the catcher. The catcher a) may not have gotten to the ball when the run scored or did get to the ball and:confused: was prepared to make a throw. There was no throw to the plate. I did not call batter interference since I did not think the batter impacted the result of the play but later I am not sure this was correct. Any help would be appreciated.

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome to Umpire-Empire Greenhill.

Based on what you've written I'd probably have nothing in either situation. In B might be closer.

[JaxRolo]

Welcome to the board.

You can't call what you cant see. or hear for that matter!

Why was it that you didnt see the catcher?

[Greenhill]

I lost track of the catcher as I got caught up with the 'dance' on the field and the runner about to score. My focus was on the plate but I should have tried to see where the catcher was.

[jjb]

Focusing on the catcher keeps you from getting drilled in the back of the head when he throws it.

[JaxRolo]

Actually focusing on where the ball is will be more important than anything.

[Mr Umpire]

It starts with if there was a play or not. No play then how can he interfere. Without knowing if there was a potential play or not, can't call INT. Have to know why F2 didn't throw the ball to F1. Did he hesitate b/c of the batter? If he did, then INT.

To know if this is INT, have to know about F2's actions for me.

[DirtyDawg]

It starts with if there was a play or not. No play then how can he interfere. Without knowing if there was a potential play or not, can't call INT. Have to know why F2 didn't throw the ball to F1. Did he hesitate b/c of the batter? If he did, then INT.

To know if this is INT, have to know about F2's actions for me.

I agree with most of this, but I don't think that it can be called INT if the kid didn't throw the ball. The key portion of this will be tries to make a play. If the kid gives up on making a play because of the batter, then you can't call Int. It's kind of like the play at first base with the runner running outside of the lane. There catcher has to try to throw the ball in order for there to be a call.

[yawetag]

I agree with most of this, but I don't think that it can be called INT if the kid didn't throw the ball. The key portion of this will be tries to make a play.

However, if I see F2 had time to throw to the plate, but didn't because there was no one to throw to, that's INT as much as making the throw.

[JaxRolo]

I agree with most of this, but I don't think that it can be called INT if the kid didn't throw the ball. The key portion of this will be tries to make a play. If the kid gives up on making a play because of the batter, then you can't call Int. It's kind of like the play at first base with the runner running outside of the lane. There catcher has to try to throw the ball in order for there to be a call.

No Throw to first:

OBR-no int

Fed- INT if the BR is in the way.

[DirtyDawg]

I see it, and I understand it, but I just don't know if I can call it. Guess I better be ready to catch a crap-ton of grief for it!

[Greenhill]

Thanks to all that responded. I will try to do a better job keeping track of where the ball is during future situations. Someone told me after my post that in LL Minors the kids cannot steal. Planning to call the manager tonight since he has the book. Maybe the runner at third should not have been able to steal home on the past ball?

[catoblue]

Thanks to all that responded. I will try to do a better job keeping track of where the ball is during future situations. Someone told me after my post that in LL Minors the kids cannot steal. Planning to call the manager tonight since he has the book. Maybe the runner at third should not have been able to steal home on the past ball?

In official LL rules, Minors CAN steal, but they can not leave the base until the pitched ball reaches the batter. However, there may be a local rule (I HATE local rules!) that prevents stealing in Minors.