Batter Interference? Dead Ball?

[Pops]

Fed rules, No outs, R2 stealing 3B:

 

#1 - As the catcher is making the throw to 3B, the batter moves back out of the box and gets hit with the throw

 

#2 - Batter intentionally moves bat in path of catcher's throw and it gets hit

 

#3 - Batter freezes in box watching R2 steal 3B and gets hit with catcher's throw

 

Does everyone agree that #1 and 2 are interference, but #3 is not?

If so, do you have a dead ball, a DDB, or a live ball for these 3 scenarios?

[ricka56]

1. Probably interference/DB...HTBT

2. Definately interference/DB

3. Probably nothing...HTBT

[JaxRolo]

Pretty much

[ALStripes17]

Fed rules, No outs, R2 stealing 3B:

 

#1 - As the catcher is making the throw to 3B, the batter moves back out of the box and gets hit with the throw

 

#2 - Batter intentionally moves bat in path of catcher's throw and it gets hit

 

#3 - Batter freezes in box watching R2 steal 3B and gets hit with catcher's throw

 

Does everyone agree that #1 and 2 are interference, but #3 is not?

If so, do you have a dead ball, a DDB, or a live ball for these 3 scenarios?

 

With the way the play is described, BI in #1 and #2 - Both DDB.  If R2 is not out at the end of F2's throw, batter is out and runner returns to 2B (if the pitch was strike 3 on the batter, then PU has judgment to rule runner out as well)

 

#3 - live ball (and a possibly concussed batter)

[maven]

With the way the play is described, BI in #1 and #2 - Both DDB.  If R2 is not out at the end of F2's throw, batter is out and runner returns to 2B (if the pitch was strike 3 on the batter, then PU has judgment to rule runner out as well)

 

#3 - live ball (and a possibly concussed batter)

+1

 

BI is always delayed dead: if the first throw retires the runner, the play stands, otherwise, kill it and get your out. If the batter is hit with the throw, I doubt that throw is going to retire a runner, so kill it right now.

 

The proper mechanic when you rule BI is to point to the batter as you step away and verbalize, "that's interference!" Then:

• If the runner's out, you can say, "Time! He's out (pointing to the runner), you stay here (pointing to the batter)."
• If the runner's safe, you can say, "Time! He's out (pointing to the batter)! You, back to 2B (or whatever, pointing to the runner)."
• If they're both out, "Time! He's out on the swing (pointing to the batter), and he's out on the interference (pointing to the runner)!"

[ALStripes17]

Good add'l info maven.  You same maven that posts on refstripes?  Refstripes and umpire-empire have been critical for my development as an official.

 

Gotta love some of the debates that occur on these forums.  Really gets you thinking of the spirit of the rules

[UmpTTS43]

If the runner is retired on the initial throw, provided the batter is not out on strikes, you do not call time since the interference is disregarded. That being said, chances are that you will have to grant time because one of the coaches are going to need/want an explanation.

This is what I was taught and use for terminology after the INT was recognized and either the initial throw was made or the throw was aborted due to the INT:

BI, runner safe, no strike out. "Time. That's interference (pointing at batter). Batter's out (out mechanic) You (pointing at runner) back to first (or appropriate base)."

BI, runner safe, strike out. "Time. That's interference (pointing). Batter's out on strikes (out mechanic), runner is out for the interference (pointing at runner then out mechanic)"

[maven]

Good add'l info maven.  You same maven that posts on refstripes?  Refstripes and umpire-empire have been critical for my development as an official.

 

Yep. Same maven, gotta take the good with the bad.

[Pops]

So on #1 & #2 you have a DDB. What if it goes out of play? I think the interference would supersede the award of bases, correct?

[FlaUmp22]

So on #1 & #2 you have a DDB. What if it goes out of play? I think the interference would supersede the award of bases, correct?

Think of it this way. For the ball to go out of play it couldn't have retired the runner on the initial throw. Therefore, once it does not you enforce the BI penalties listed above

[alex7]

If the runner is retired on the initial throw, provided the batter is not out on strikes, you do not call time since the interference is disregarded.

 

 

Agreed on not calling time if the initial throw retires the runner.  I had a 1st and 3rd situation where R1 attempted to steal 2nd, I had BI at the plate, the throw retired the runner, and then R3 stole home on the throw.  Good thing I didn't call time and kill it, or it would have cost the offense a run. 

[grayhawk]

While it's most certainly a DDB, in #1 and #2 above, we will be calling "Time!" almost immediately following "That's interference!" because the throw is likely being deflected to somewhere nowhere near 3B.

[Pops]

While it's most certainly a DDB, in #1 and #2 above, we will be calling "Time!" almost immediately following "That's interference!" because the throw is likely being deflected to somewhere nowhere near 3B.

Yes...I'm still waiting to see the throw that bounces off the batter and goes directly to F5 for the out at third. Thanks for the input.

[Magic]

I agree with Grayhawk. As soon as the ball deflects off the batter, there is a 99% chance we will be calling time. But that 1%... Now tell me this Scenario 1 and 2, And Batter drops like a sack of potatoes? Are  you killing it right away? Or letting it ride out?

[Pops]

I agree with Grayhawk. As soon as the ball deflects off the batter, there is a 99% chance we will be calling time. But that 1%... Now tell me this Scenario 1 and 2, And Batter drops like a sack of potatoes? Are  you killing it right away? Or letting it ride out?

In Fed we have rule 5-2-1-d-1 which allows us to call an immediate time out "if there is a medical emergency or if, in the umpire's judgement, further play could jeopardize the injured player's safety." Otherwise, let it play out as usual before calling time.

[JaxRolo]

 

I agree with Grayhawk. As soon as the ball deflects off the batter, there is a 99% chance we will be calling time. But that 1%... Now tell me this Scenario 1 and 2, And Batter drops like a sack of potatoes? Are  you killing it right away? Or letting it ride out?

In Fed we have rule 5-2-1-d-1 which allows us to call an immediate time out "if there is a medical emergency or if, in the umpire's judgement, further play could jeopardize the injured player's safety." Otherwise, let it play out as usual before calling time.

 

 

err on the side of safety!

[mstaylor]

Again, sorry for being so far behind on threads. If the initial throw doesn't get the runner, kill it and enforce the BI. It doesn't matter if it comes off the batter and the catcher is able to make a second throw, or it lands beside the F5 and he can get a second shot. If the throw from F2 to the covering fielder doesn't get the out, kill the play. There is no waiting to see what happens, that is absolute in all codes.

To better illustrate this think about the BI with R1,R3. The defense calls the play where the SS comes short, F4 covers second. If there is a BI and the SS cuts the ball off, even if he has R3 picked, kill it and enforce the BI.

[alex7]

Again, sorry for being so far behind on threads. If the initial throw doesn't get the runner, kill it and enforce the BI. It doesn't matter if it comes off the batter and the catcher is able to make a second throw, or it lands beside the F5 and he can get a second shot. If the throw from F2 to the covering fielder doesn't get the out, kill the play. There is no waiting to see what happens, that is absolute in all codes.

To better illustrate this think about the BI with R1,R3. The defense calls the play where the SS comes short, F4 covers second. If there is a BI and the SS cuts the ball off, even if he has R3 picked, kill it and enforce the BI.

 

But what if the batter is wearing black cleats with lots of white on them?  Get 2 outs?

[Dash Riprock]

 

 

 

err on the side of safety!

 

Unless it's a kid nobody likes.

[mstaylor]

Again, sorry for being so far behind on threads. If the initial throw doesn't get the runner, kill it and enforce the BI. It doesn't matter if it comes off the batter and the catcher is able to make a second throw, or it lands beside the F5 and he can get a second shot. If the throw from F2 to the covering fielder doesn't get the out, kill the play. There is no waiting to see what happens, that is absolute in all codes.

To better illustrate this think about the BI with R1,R3. The defense calls the play where the SS comes short, F4 covers second. If there is a BI and the SS cuts the ball off, even if he has R3 picked, kill it and enforce the BI.

 

But what if the batter is wearing black cleats with lots of white on them?  Get 2 outs?

Enforce the penalty and toss the batter for bad taste. :lol:

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

Again, sorry for being so far behind on threads. If the initial throw doesn't get the runner, kill it and enforce the BI. It doesn't matter if it comes off the batter and the catcher is able to make a second throw, or it lands beside the F5 and he can get a second shot. If the throw from F2 to the covering fielder doesn't get the out, kill the play. There is no waiting to see what happens, that is absolute in all codes.

To better illustrate this think about the BI with R1,R3. The defense calls the play where the SS comes short, F4 covers second. If there is a BI and the SS cuts the ball off, even if he has R3 picked, kill it and enforce the BI.

 

But what if the batter is wearing black cleats with lots of white on them?  Get 2 outs?

 

 

Eject. With extreme prejudice.