Catcher throws into batter while trying to pick off runner at third base

[Michael Leavitt]

In a 12 year olds game last night the catcher was being advised by his father and coach to receive the pitch and throw through the batter to pick off the runner leading off at third base, insuring him that he would get the batter’s interference call (I was the PU and overheard the father‘s instructions). I know this was poor advice because the batter is okay as long as he does not leave the box and/or hinder the catcher with his movements. That is not the question. I got to thinking about the scenario and thought of the catcher coming up and drilling the batter right in the face with the throw. Are there any penalties that I could impose upon the catcher, especially if the batter is injured by the throw? This ploy could cause serious injury and the ball would still be live with a batter laying in bloody pain on the ground. I checked out MLB 6.06, 7.08, and 7.09. I even went on to 6.08©, 7.04 and 7.07 for the catcher’s interference, but none of these discussed the outcome of what could have happened. I have also thought about maybe some sort of unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, yet I am left to wonder what I would/should/could rule in that situation. Would I kill the play immediately? Could I impose a penalty? Could I award bases? Or would I just call an ambulance and send the catcher’s coach and team packing? Any advice or thoughts are welcomed.

We use MLB and PONY rules.

Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

[HeadHunterLA]

Neat thing about the baseball rule book is that it allows us umpires lots of leeway in how we determine to apply the rules.  If you think that a catcher deliberately drilled the batter in the face with the throw then he gets ejected immediately and if anyone argues the call they get sent packing too.  Just the same as a pitcher throwing at a guy.

[mstaylor]

If the father is a coach, dump him. If not simply explain to the catcher the rule and how it is applied. 

[Scratch Franzeo]

I call PONY ball in north Texas. The league's board emphasizes sportsmanship and safety. I believe I would dump a coach if I heard him instruct his catcher to do something that would hurt a batter. I would then take a quick moment to explain to the catcher why plays of that type would not be tolerated.

[Michael Leavitt]

Good thoughts! I think this comes from the misconception that the batter has to somehow get out of the way on a throw down to third. I can easily fall back upon the rules of safety and sportsmanship, per your recommendations.

I don’t think the father was trying to get the batter hurt. I think he was trying to get the catcher to somehow either run into or hit the batter to try to draw the call. The actual reference to pain and anguish was my thinking the situation through to the extreme. In the lesser situation, barring injury, could I justify some sort of catcher interference and award the runner on third home?

Thanks again for helping me think the scenario through.

Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

[Minnz]

I think if you hear that easily enough time to go into preventative umpiring.  Remind the catcher the batter doesn't have to move.  If he says my coach told me, then tell him to tell coach what you said.  Coach may then come out and discuss it with you.  You then explain to him and he gets it or he gets dumped.  Far better to do it then before a player gets hit and both coaches are angry.  One his player was hit and hurt the other because you didn't call an out.

[Michael Leavitt]

Minnz:

You are oh so right about the preventive measures being the best course of action. I did tell the catcher, “The batter doesn’t have to move on a throw catcher†before the next pitch, but then I went into the mode of, “Please don’t let this scenario happen. Please don’t let this scenario happen. Please...†And all the time I was sure I did NOT know exactly what the rule books had to say on the topic. I am one that prefers to play out the scenarios in my head before they occur on the field and this allows me the ability to draw upon what I pre-learn as the bizarre scenarios actually take place in the youth leagues of Northern Utah.

Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

[grayhawk]

At the 12 year old level, I would address this with the coach, not the player.  It wasn't clear from the OP if the father and coach were the same person.  I would make it very clear that what the catcher is being instructed to do is dangerous and that the coach will be ejected if that scenario were to play out.