Interference rulings at the plate??

[JHSump]

Help! I am confused. Assume OBR. Please select the correct ruling in the following situations, and cite the rules that apply, or cite any other sources used (e.g., Jaksa/Roder). Some rules to consider: 6.06c, 7.08(g), 7.08(l), 7.09(d), 7.09(e), 7.11 or any other rules you find relevant. I have heard a variety of answers.

In all cases: R3, pitch gets away from F2 and rolls to the backstop, F2 retrieves the ball and throws to F1 covering home.

1) Less than two outs. Thrown ball hits the batter standing still in the batter’s box ignoring the play.

Ruling A: Interference by batter. R3 is out.

Ruling B: Interference by batter. Batter is out. R3 returns to 3B.

Ruling C: No interference. Run scores.

2) Same as (1), but two outs.

3) Same as (1), but the batter has stepped out of the batter's box to avoid any possible interference, and is hit by the throw nevertheless. Batter was trying to avoid any interference.

4) Same as (3), but two outs.

[UmpJM]

JHSump,

These are all "Had To Be There" stuations, but I'll go with...

1. Ruling A.

2. Ruling B. (Actually, R3 is going to go to his position in the field or the dugout...)

3. Ruling C.

4. Ruling C.

J/R provides the best explanation of the batter's responsibilities when the ball "gets away" from the catcher in these sitches. If the batter has a reasonable opportunity to clear the area and fails to do so, he is liable to an interference call. If he makes a "good faith" effort to clear the area and does not intentionally interfere (umpire judgement) he is not liable.

When a batter interferes with a play at the plate on R3 with less than two out, the R3 is called out and the batter remains at bat. Unless he struck out on the pitch - then, they're both out. (6.06 ( c ) Penalty. )

JM

[johnnyg08]

Help! I am confused. Assume OBR. Please select the correct ruling in the following situations, and cite the rules that apply, or cite any other sources used (e.g., Jaksa/Roder). Some rules to consider: 6.06c, 7.08(g), 7.08(l), 7.09(d), 7.09(e), 7.11 or any other rules you find relevant. I have heard a variety of answers.

In all cases: R3, pitch gets away from F2 and rolls to the backstop, F2 retrieves the ball and throws to F1 covering home.

1) Less than two outs. Thrown ball hits the batter standing still in the batter’s box ignoring the play.

Ruling A: Interference by batter. R3 is out.

Ruling B: Interference by batter. Batter is out. R3 returns to 3B.

Ruling C: No interference. Run scores.

2) Same as (1), but two outs.

3) Same as (1), but the batter has stepped out of the batter's box to avoid any possible interference, and is hit by the throw nevertheless. Batter was trying to avoid any interference.

4) Same as (3), but two outs.

1. A

2. B (still no run)

3 & 4 Live ball play on.

Didn't look any of these up though.

[mstaylor]

Once the ball gets away from the catcher 6.06c goes away. You get out of six and move to seven.

[noumpere]

JHSump,

These are all "Had To Be There" stuations, but I'll go with...

1. Ruling A.

2. Ruling B. (Actually, R3 is going to go to his position in the field or the dugout...)

3. Ruling C.

4. Ruling C.

J/R provides the best explanation of the batter's responsibilities when the ball "gets away" from the catcher in these sitches. If the batter has a reasonable opportunity to clear the area and fails to do so, he is liable to an interference call. If he makes a "good faith" effort to clear the area and does not intentionally interfere (umpire judgement) he is not liable.

When a batter interferes with a play at the plate on R3 with less than two out, the R3 is called out and the batter remains at bat. Unless he struck out on the pitch - then, they're both out. (6.06 ( c ) Penalty. )

JM

I agree with these rulings and will add that sometimes the batter has a clear idea of where the ball is and where the throw will be coming from and chooses to move so as to make the throw more difficult so in the last two situations we need to be aware of that and get the interference call if its warrented.

[JHSump]

Ok. The consensus is A, B, C, C.

And, the nice summary by mstaylor and the caveat by noumpere are very good!

Thanks everyone. These are essentially the thoughts I had, but I had heard others give different opinions. I now feel confident about these situations.