Catcher Interference?

[Army Ump]

I saw a play the other day.... R1 attempts to steal second (no other runners on base), pitcher delivers, catcher, in his haste to nail runner at second, leapts forward out in front of the plate, catches pitch before it reaches the plate and fires to second.  In this case, runner still beat the throw.  Umpire did not make a ruling, let play stand.  My take is:  catcher interference, runner is awarded second ( since he successfully stole the base, that would be moot) and batter is awarded first base.

The closest thing I could find regarding this play is rule 7.07, but this rule refers to a runner on third attempting to steal or runs home on a squeeze, whereby catcher jumps in front or on the plate without the ball.....

Rule 6.08(c) states that a batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out when he is interfered with by the catcher.  It would appear in my scenario above that he does in fact interfere with the batter's ability to hit the ball, therefore CI should be called.....

Rule 7.07 also refers to a balk on behalf of the pitcher....again, is this only in that one play where the runner on third is attempting to steal home?  I think I'm overthinking this thing !

[Richvee]

Not overthinking. I've got CI. There's plenty threads here where this is discussed in depth with varying situations. 

[BalkHawk]

Better NOT to search for old threads on this, I'm afraid.

6.08c is the one you want here. Defensive (catcher's) INT is a live ball, and as long as all runners reach their advance base safely and the batter/runner reaches 1B, the INT is null. In the case a runner does not advance safely, once continuous action has ceased 'time' is called and the runner played upon is awarded the base, the batter is awarded first, and any runner who is forced advances. Also, any other runners who were stealing advance.

The offensive manager may elect to keep the result of continuous action, instead of the penalty.

7.07 applies to squeeze plays alone.

[Rich Ives]

Absolutely CI.

[jjskitours]

I agree it remains a live ball, but only ignored (null) if batter reaches 1st base and all other runners advance at least one base. Just because a runner stealing reaches safely doesn't cause the INT to be ignored.

[BalkHawk]

edited

[noumpere]

This seems to be the question of the year.  Oh yes, Its CI like any other CI except in HS where its CO, lol.

[Army Ump]

Wow, I just posted this late last night and got quite a response....thanks so much...I will definitely be frequenting this site more often, if not daily.....but getting back to 7.07 where there is a runner trying to steal home or being squeezed and the catcher steps in front of the runne..... in addition to the CI, the rule also requires a balk be called on the pitcher....anyone out there explain me the logic on that?  Thanks....

[noumpere]

They wanted an extra penalty.  It's only going to make a difference when theres R2 and R3 only and the R2 doesnt also attempt to steal.

[Rich Ives]

They wanted an extra penalty.  It's only going to make a difference when theres R2 and R3 only and the R2 doesnt also attempt to steal.

 

R2 stealing or not doesn't matter.  The CI rule doesn't not allow stealing runners to advance automatically. It would be part of the coach's play/penalty decision.

[noumpere]

 

They wanted an extra penalty.  It's only going to make a difference when theres R2 and R3 only and the R2 doesnt also attempt to steal.

 

R2 stealing or not doesn't matter.  The CI rule doesn't not allow stealing runners to advance automatically. It would be part of the coach's play/penalty decision.

 

7.04D

While he is attempting to steal a base, the batter is interfered with by the catcher or

any other fielder.

[Ring 'em Up]

Check here: http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/52489-catchers-interference-i-banged-him-for-it/

 

this said, OBS rule 5.03 covers this explicitly. : " The pitcher shall deliver the pitch to the batter who may elect to strike the ball, or who may not offer at it, as he chooses. "

 

rule 6.08 spells out the penalty.

 

ron-