Bunted ball popped up

[Pops]

The batter bunts a pitch and pops it up about 5 feet in front of the plate. He begins to run but makes contact with the catcher on his first step out of the batters box. The catcher can no longer get to the ball and it falls fair in front of the pitcher who is running in. Is this a train wreck (no call) or is this offensive interference (batter out)?

[Rich Ives]

The batter bunts a pitch and pops it up about 5 feet in front of the plate. He begins to run but makes contact with the catcher on his first step out of the batters box. The catcher can no longer get to the ball and it falls fair in front of the pitcher who is running in. Is this a train wreck (no call) or is this offensive interference (batter out)?

Train wreck.

Rule 7.09(j) Comment: When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called.

[UmpJM]

rog0330,

An element of HTBT, but most likely, this is "nothing".

Rule 7.09(j) Comment: When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called. “Obstruction” by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such “right of way” is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball. If the catcher is fielding the ball and the first baseman or pitcher obstructs a runner going to first base “obstruction” shall be called and the base runner awarded first base.

JM

[NovaScotiaBlue]

You should ask former American League umpire Larry Barnett what you should do. He had a similar situation in game 3 of the 75 world series between the Reds and the Red Sox. He ruled that a collision between Cinncinatti batter Ed Armbruster and Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk after Armbruster had bunted the ball was incidental contact as per rule 7.09 already cited. Red Sx Fans still feel to this day that non-call cost their team the game.

[DirtyDawg]

No.....at that time, Babe Ruth cost them the game!

[boyinr]

You should ask former American League umpire Larry Barnett what you should do. He had a similar situation in game 3 of the 75 world series between the Reds and the Red Sox. He ruled that a collision between Cinncinatti batter Ed Armbruster and Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk after Armbruster had bunted the ball was incidental contact as per rule 7.09 already cited. Red Sx Fans still feel to this day that non-call cost their team the game.

Speaking for Red Sox Nation-Damm straight we still feel that way. :crazy:

[Rich Ives]

You should ask former American League umpire Larry Barnett what you should do. He had a similar situation in game 3 of the 75 world series between the Reds and the Red Sox. He ruled that a collision between Cinncinatti batter Ed Armbruster and Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk after Armbruster had bunted the ball was incidental contact as per rule 7.09 already cited. Red Sx Fans still feel to this day that non-call cost their team the game.

By calling it a "non-call" the Red Sox Nation (who thought up THAT one) is insisting that the call was incorrect.

It was not.

The RSN is the same group who think that, holding a two run lead with two outs and the bases empty that zero blame for giving up three runs goes to the two pitchers and all the blame goes to a fielder. They also conveniently forget that if the fielder had made the play the game would have still been tied with an undetermined outcome to follow.

Then the same pitcher who blew the two run lead in game 6 and took the L proceded to help blow a two run lead in game 7 and take the L again.

The RSN isn't smart enough.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Rich Ives

[catoblue]

The batter bunts a pitch and pops it up about 5 feet in front of the plate. He begins to run but makes contact with the catcher on his first step out of the batters box. The catcher can no longer get to the ball and it falls fair in front of the pitcher who is running in. Is this a train wreck (no call) or is this offensive interference (batter out)?

HTBT, but strictly based on OP, I hear Choooooo Choooooo, as the train wreck pulls into the station. BR and F2 were bothe where they were supposed to be, doing what they were supposed to be doing - unless the contact was intentional.

[jnazz]

One thing though, make sure you sell the "train wreck". Saying something like "NOTHING THERE!" and giving the safe signal really sells the call. It's way better than saying nothing and trying to explain it later.

[Umpire in Chief]

One thing though, make sure you sell the "train wreck". Saying something like "NOTHING THERE!" and giving the safe signal really sells the call. It's way better than saying nothing and trying to explain it later.

Absolutely!