Stealing Third, Batter Int?

[Guest Jsikula93]

Hey everyone,

 

I didn't have a call to make for this question, but I've heard different explanations from different people.

 

Situation: Runner on 2nd. On the pitch R2 attempts to steal so the catcher...

 

a) because of a wild pitch/passed ball, locates the ball behind/beside him and throws to third

b) catches the pitch cleanly, and throws the ball to third

 

For both of these situations, where would the batter have to be for you to call batter interference?

 

Originally I believed on a cleanly caught ball as in (b), the batter MUST stay in the batters box. If the batter steps out and the catcher (who stepped out to make the throw) hits the batter with his throw then this would be interference. Regarding (a), is the batter required to move out of the batters box to avoid interfering with the play?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Jocko]

Basically, if the batter does anything to INT, you have BI. Without a play at home, I tend to think that as long as he doesnt move, he's entitled to stay in the box. However, if F2 has to hunt for the ball, the batter needs to clear or be in jeopardy. And when he clears, he's gotta clear in such a manner that his movements don't put him in possible position to INT. Clear as mud?

[noumpere]

b) makes "any other movement" that gets in the catcher's way. He's entitled to a normal swing.

 

a) if he has time, he must move out of the way.  Unclear from your description whether he does (if F2 basically doesn't need to move from his position, then the batter probably doesn't have time to move.  Only of the ball is kicked -- i Don't know, -- 1/2 way out of the dirt circle or so.)