Catcher Interference

[sthomas13100]

R1 with no outs.  2 Strikes on batter.  Runner stealing and batter swings at strike 3, swing brings him over home plate.  Catcher's throw is altered by the batter, we have contact.  I call batter interference and call both batter and runner out, stating that we have a special situation because the batter was already out on strike 3, similar to a double-play ball when the runner is out at second and does not get down.  My partner thought we would have batter out and runner going back to 1st.  I can't find this specific situation in the rules.  After reading, I still don't know if I got the right call.  Had several differing opinions from very respected and schooled umpires.  Call had no bearing on outcome of game.  Just want to make sure I know this moving forward.  OBR

 

[noumpere]

Correct call under pro and college rules.  Likely correct under HS rules, but you could have just sent the runner back (if there was "no chance" to retire the runner)

[Thunderheads]

R1 with no outs.  2 Strikes on batter.  Runner stealing and batter swings at strike 3, swing brings him over home plate.  Catcher's throw is altered by the batter, we have contact.  I call batter interference and call both batter and runner out, stating that we have a special situation because the batter was already out on strike 3, similar to a double-play ball when the runner is out at second and does not get down.  My partner thought we would have batter out and runner going back to 1st.  I can't find this specific situation in the rules.  After reading, I still don't know if I got the right call.  Had several differing opinions from very respected and schooled umpires.  Call had no bearing on outcome of game.  Just want to make sure I know this moving forward.  OBR

Nowhere, unless a local rule, is it specified that a runner is required to slide ....

[maven]

Correct call under pro and college rules.  Likely correct under HS rules, but you could have just sent the runner back (if there was "no chance" to retire the runner)

 

You're right about the rules difference, but FED (at least in my state) wants "possible double play" interpreted loosely. In most instances, if F2 has the ball and comes up to throw, an out is possible (need not be likely or probable).

 

Since F2 has to have the ball and be coming up to throw in order to for me to rule BI, in nearly all cases I'd have the runner out for the BI when the batter is already out on strikes.

[sthomas13100]

I think the reference is going to be 7.09e under this case described.  I kept looking in 6.

 

Maven, yes the catcher made a clean catch.

 

Thunderheads, the double play reference I am referring to above is 7.09f and g.  Not getting down are my own words, sorry.  But this was 14U USSSA game, so yes on the slide or avoid contact reference.

[Thunderheads]

I think the reference is going to be 7.09e under this case described.  I kept looking in 6.

 

Maven, yes the catcher made a clean catch.

 

Thunderheads, the double play reference I am referring to above is 7.09f and g.  Not getting down are my own words, sorry.  But this was 14U USSSA game, so yes on the slide or avoid contact reference.

 gotchya!

[noumpere]

 

Correct call under pro and college rules.  Likely correct under HS rules, but you could have just sent the runner back (if there was "no chance" to retire the runner)

 

You're right about the rules difference, but FED (at least in my state) wants "possible double play" interpreted loosely. In most instances, if F2 has the ball and comes up to throw, an out is possible (need not be likely or probable).

 

Since F2 has to have the ball and be coming up to throw in order to for me to rule BI, in nearly all cases I'd have the runner out for the BI when the batter is already out on strikes.

 

I agree with the states position that 99% of the time its going to be another out.  I have had it where it wasn't though (but it was 15 or so years ago, so I forget the situation - I just remember showing it in the book to my partner after the game who didn't even realize it was a possibility).

[Specks]

Once the strikeout occurs the batter is now a retired batter/runner and you have INT by him. Immediate dead ball and call the runner they were attempting a play on out. You did it correct.

[spiritump]

Once the strikeout occurs the batter is now a retired batter/runner and you have INT by him. Immediate dead ball and call the runner they were attempting a play on out. You did it correct.

 

 

not a immediate dead ball; if the runner is put out , play on

[Specks]

 

Once the strikeout occurs the batter is now a retired batter/runner and you have INT by him. Immediate dead ball and call the runner they were attempting a play on out. You did it correct.

 

 

not a immediate dead ball; if the runner is put out , play on

 

It's only delayed if the batter didn't strike out. If it's strike 3 then you have INT by a retired runner and kill it and get the out.