Offensive Interference On-Deck

[Mad Mike]

R2. 1 out. Pitch in the dirt for ball 2. Catcher misses it and it rolls to backstop. The on-deck batter started over to pick the ball up (like they normally do as a courtesy on passed balls with no one on base). R2 is breaking for 3B. Thankfully, his coach told him to get away from the ball and he did so.

 

My question to you guys is: What if the on-deck batter had actually grabbed the ball with R2 advancing. What would you call? I know the ball would be dead the moment he grabbed it. The rule set here is OBR.

 

This is the only real close rule I could find:

 

7.11 The players, coaches or any member of a team at bat shall vacate any space (including
both dugouts or bullpens) needed by a fielder who is attempting to field a batted or
thrown ball. If a member of the team at bat (other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt
to catch or field a batted ball, the ball is dead, the batter is declared out and all runners
return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If a member of the team at bat (other
than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to field a thrown ball, the ball is dead, the runner
on whom the play is being made shall be declared out and all runners return to the last
legally occupied base at the time of the interference.

 

Now, by the time the on-deck guy grabs the ball R2 is almost to 3B--there is little to no chance they make a play on R2.

 

So, do you have an out?

 

Do you send R2 back to 2B?

 

Do you leave R2 at 3B?

 

[MB_Ump]

I'd say if there was no play (runner already there) then there really wasn't anything interfered with so call time and educate ODB to leave live balls the hell alone. If there was a play then call time and lead runner is out.

[Dragon29]

Does the same interpretation apply to a pitched ball as it does a batted or thrown ball? The rule referenced above does not mention a pitched ball.

 

I don't have my rulebooks w/me, but I'd say kill the play and send the runner back to 2B unless I thought the ODB did it on purpose in which case R2 would be out.

[HeadHunterLA]

Clearly one of those plays where you umpire with the book, not by the book.  If his actual touching of the ball had zero impact on the play then utilize this as a teaching moment and let things be.  R2 stays at third, play on.

[noumpere]

You could call nothing or weak interference or interference depending on what happened and when and the timing of it all.  The player will learn more if you call one of the last two of course, not that the learning should be a consideration.

[HeadHunterLA]

You could call nothing or weak interference or interference depending on what happened and when and the timing of it all.  The player will learn more if you call one of the last two of course, not that the learning should be a consideration.

What the hell is weak interference?

[noumpere]

 

You could call nothing or weak interference or interference depending on what happened and when and the timing of it all.  The player will learn more if you call one of the last two of course, not that the learning should be a consideration.

What the hell is weak interference?

 

The form of interference like backswing interference -- return the runners but no out.

[HeadHunterLA]

 

 

You could call nothing or weak interference or interference depending on what happened and when and the timing of it all.  The player will learn more if you call one of the last two of course, not that the learning should be a consideration.

What the hell is weak interference?

 

The form of interference like backswing interference -- return the runners but no out.

 

There is no such thing.

[maven]

 

 

 

You could call nothing or weak interference or interference depending on what happened and when and the timing of it all.  The player will learn more if you call one of the last two of course, not that the learning should be a consideration.

What the hell is weak interference?

 

The form of interference like backswing interference -- return the runners but no out.

 

There is no such thing.

 

There is, but I've not heard it called that. I usually refer to it as INT by a person authorized to be on the field (on deck batter, ball boy, battery warming in the on-field bullpen, etc.).

 

The reference is 3.15: if the person intentionally picks up the ball, then the ball is dead and the umpire imposes whatever penalty nullifies the interference.

 

That's why noumpere states that it depends so much on the timing: in some cases, all action has ceased before the ODB picks up the ball, and you could just leave it. If F2 has ANY play on an advancing runner, you could send the runner back.

 

The defense might want an out for this, but I'd be reluctant to give them one. Maybe with R3 trying to score. After all, the play started with a wild pitch, and they should expect the runners to move up, not be out!