2015 NCAA Rules Test Question

[Replacematt]

I don't know if we're going to do a thread for these, but I'll start a thread for this question.

 

R1, one out. B2 hits a ground ball to the second baseman and loses control of his bat, which is traveling in the same direction as the ball. The second baseman is hit by the bat but recovers and is still able to start a 4-6-3 double play.

a. B2 is out for interference and warned that if this unsportsmanlike act is repeated, he will be ejected.

b. The ball is dead as soon as the loose bat makes contact with the second baseman. B2 is out for interference, and R1 is returned to first base.

c. Because F4 was able to turn the double play, the bat obviously didn't interfere, so the actions of the batter losing control of the bat are ignored.

d. As long as the umpire believes the actions of B2 are unintentional, there is no interference.

I've got it narrowed down to B and C, leaning towards C. 7-11-n says that interference shall be called, but it also says that the bat has to interfere. I'm thinking that if he turned the double play, it didn't interfere.

[johnnyg08]

I've got B.  It says in 'n' that Interference shall be called.  Meaning we must call it.  

[johnnyg08]

A batter is out when:

Art. n. 

A whole bat is thrown into fair territory, whether intentionally or not, and it interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play. Interference shall be called.

 

A.R. - It is not interference and the ball remains in play if the bat breaks and a part of it is hit by the batted ball in fair territory or a part of it hits a runner or a fielder. If a part of this bat or a whole bat is touched by the batted ball in foul territory, it is a foul ball;

[johnnyg08]

A.R. 2 - If the batter-runner has not touched first base at the time of interference, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch. If there was an intervening play made on another runner, all runners shall return to the base last touched at the time of interference.

[kanedog]

It was on last year's test in the newsletter. The correct answer is interference and send R1 back.

[johnnyg08]

I have that same question but my choices are in a different order.

[UmpJeff]

I had a discussion about this question with a couple of my umpire buddies.  I said the correct answer should be B.  They argued that the defense shouldn't be penalized by putting R1 back on 1B and not getting the DP.  I claimed interference...dead ball...B2 out and R1 returns. 

[johnnyg08]

I had a discussion about this question with a couple of my umpire buddies.  I said the correct answer should be B.  They argued that the defense shouldn't be penalized by putting R1 back on 1B and not getting the DP.  I claimed interference...dead ball...B2 out and R1 returns. 

 

Interference is an automatic dead ball in this situation.  (Which we agree)...Personally, I'm glad that it's not a "did the thrown bat impact the play" type of situation.  What a mess that would be!  

[jjskitours]

Was it confirmed that B is correct and INT called immediately so no DP in this situation. Can I assume it would be the same in FED?

[alex7]

On 2/13/2017 at 5:09 AM, jjskitours said:

Was it confirmed that B is correct and INT called immediately so no DP in this situation. Can I assume it would be the same in FED?

the devil's advocate would claim that this part of the rule means it doesn't have to be INT:

and it interferes with a defensive player attempting to make a play

As to your question, not sure.

[johnnyg08]

We don't call this retro actively.  If a thrown bat hits a fielder we should immediately kill this play.  If you don't call it immediately (and kill the play), then it's not interference.  Or at least it shouldn't be if we're going to officiate this play correctly.