Backswing Interference

[tankmjg24]

Please answer the following situation for both FED and OBR. R1 and R3 and batter swings and misses. R1 is stealing and F2 attempts to throw him out at second. Batter's backswing hits F2 in the left shoulder and he has to regain himself in throwing to second. Without the backswing interference, play at second would have been bang bang. Make the call. Thanks

[noumpere]

OBR:  Kill the play and return the runner.  Batter stays at bat (unless it was three strikes).

 

FED:  Batter is out if it was fewer than three strikes.  Runner returns.  If it was three strikes then runner is out.

[maven]

For 2015, FED is defining "follow-through interference," the penalty for which it has not yet announced.

 

One can only hope that it is the same as OBR's "backswing INT." If so, a FED/OBR rules difference will devolve into a terminology difference (like catcher's INT/OBS).

[Richvee]

For 2015, FED is defining "follow-through interference," the penalty for which it has not yet announced.

 

One can only hope that it is the same as OBR's "backswing INT." If so, a FED/OBR rules difference will devolve into a terminology difference (like catcher's INT/OBS).

FED must get their kicks out of making things confusing for coaches/players. So far, they're only telling us terms and not penalties, but what we know now is..

 

OBR "Backswing INT" = FED "Follow Through INT" (Definition only. no word on rulings yet)

 

FED "Backswing INT" is defined as when the batter brings the bat up to his shoulder PRIOR to a pitch and makes contact with F2. 

 

wonderful 

 

I sure hope they don't plan on adding a penalty for this. 

[tankmjg24]

Well the good news is I was correct. The bad news is I applied the ruling wrong. Tournament was OBR rules based. Been doing a lot of FED ball recently and as soon as it happened I returned R1 and called out the batter. As soon as I did this I thought to myself wow that's not right.

[noumpere]

Well the good news is I was correct. The bad news is I applied the ruling wrong. Tournament was OBR rules based. Been doing a lot of FED ball recently and as soon as it happened I returned R1 and called out the batter. As soon as I did this I thought to myself wow that's not right.

It's not too late to fix it, then.

[Senor Azul]

The OBR rule supporting what has been offered to you is 6.06c Comment. The pertinent part reads: 

 

...If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play.

 

This kind of play is sometimes referred to as "weak interference."

 

The PBUC manual offers a complete interpretation including the mechanic that should be used by umpires. This infraction is a delayed dead ball situation if the catcher is able to get a throw away in spite of the backswing interference and manages to retire a runner the play stands just as if no violation had occurred. It also tells us that if the backswing occurs on an uncaught third strike, the ball shall be dead and the batter declared out.

[Senor Azul]

From the 2015 NFHS Baseball Rules Book:

 

2-22-4  Follow-through interference is when the bat hits the catcher after the batter has swung at a pitch and hinders action at home plate or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner.

 

PENALTY: the same as it always has been. (rule 7-3-5c)  just a change in terminology

 

 

 

2-22-5  Backswing interference is when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time of the pitch.

 

PENALTY: The ball is immediately dead. (from rule 7-3-7)

[goody14]

When did the new books come out?

 

Can you pick up a copy yet?

[Senor Azul]

Yes, Mr. goody14, the books are available now. I ordered on September 11 thinking that I would receive the 2014 edition of the rules book and the case book. When I received the order I got a pleasant surprise because the 2015 rules book was included with my order. I placed my order at nfhs.org/resources/publications. I just visited the site and both 2015 editions are now available. Each book costs just $8.20 which is actually less than the freight cost to me in California.

[goody14]

Very cool.  Now they just need to make digital versions available and update Arbiter.

[Magic]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ID7GC5Y?cache=3c27e1f0cefc1dd7a2e17dde5e4e2b89Ï€=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1412915018&sr=8-11#ref=mp_s_a_1_11