Batters Box - what to do

[Guest Coach JJ]

Help me nail this one down. Does a right handed batter have to duck or move when catcher is throwing to third base? Can he just stand there or would that (in some cases) constitute interference. I am trying to teach my 9 year olds what their responsibility is when they are in the batters box. Help me get this right.

 

On a passed ball or something of that nature, I have my batters clear the area immediately so as not to interfere with the catcher.

[maven]

Let's look at the rule.
 

A batter is out for interference when:
He interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base. 6.06(c )

So, there are two main ways a right-handed batter is guilty of BI on a throw to 3B:

1. He steps out of the box AND hinders F2
2. He remains in the box AND makes some "other movement" AND hinders F2

Note that hindrance alone is not sufficient for BI: the batter must do something else, either stepping out of the box (1 or 2 feet), or some "other movement."

 

So, if you're coaching batters, the best thing to teach them is to stay in the box and not make any other movement (ducking, turning, etc.). Any hindrance in that case should be ruled incidental, since the batter is not expected to disappear.

 

A batter who swings at the pitch is permitted to complete his swing normally, and that would not count as an "other movement" for the purpose of this rule. Swinging and falling into F2's way, though, would, and should be ruled BI.

 

The FED rule (7-3-5) is substantially the same and gives more explicit guidance about what constitutes BI (leaning over the plate, etc.).

[Tksjewelry]

The batters box is not a safety zone. If, in the umpires judgment, they could have or should have avoided interfering with a catchers play, then they can be called for interference.

[zm1283]

The batters box is not a safety zone. If, in the umpires judgment, they could have or should have avoided interfering with a catchers play, then they can be called for interference.

 

Are you sure about that?

 

If the batter stays in the batter's box and doesn't do anything extraordinary to interfere with the catcher, he shouldn't be guilty of interference. 

[ricka56]

Usually if the catcher (F2) catch's a pitch and then throws to a base, the batter will not be guilty of interference if he does not move in the batter's box...USUALLY.

 

If there is a play at the plate, the batter should clear the way and MAY be guilty of interference if he mucks up that play.

[Guest Coach JJ]

Let's look at the rule.

 

A batter is out for interference when:

He interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base. 6.06(c )

So, there are two main ways a right-handed batter is guilty of BI on a throw to 3B:

1. He steps out of the box AND hinders F2
2. He remains in the box AND makes some "other movement," AND hinders F2

Note that hindrance alone is not sufficient for BI: the batter must do something else, either stepping out of the box (1 or 2 feet), or some "other movement."

 

So, if you're coaching batters, the best thing to teach them is to stay in the box and not make any other movement (ducking, turning, etc.).

Perfect. Thanks much!

[VAUmp]

Tell your batters to stay put in the box when R2 is stealing third and you should be fine.  

[maven]

Tell your batters to stay put in the box when R2 is stealing third and you should be fine.  

 

Give a man a fish...

[umpstu]

It's not a sanctuary for the batter.  He can't just stand there and interfere, intentional or not.

[noumpere]

It's not a sanctuary for the batter.  He can't just stand there and interfere, intentional or not.

Well, he can just stand there -- and if that's whet he does, it's NOT INT even if he's in F2's way.

[maven]

 

It's not a sanctuary for the batter.  He can't just stand there and interfere, intentional or not.

Well, he can just stand there -- and if that's whet he does, it's NOT INT even if he's in F2's way.

 

 

I think you two might be talking about different kinds of play.

1. Regarding the OP, where F2 "comes up throwing": the batter should just stand there, and then any hindrance should be ruled incidental. For this play, the batters box is sanctuary (more or less).
2. For a play at the plate (like a double steal, after F2 throws to 2B and is waiting for a return throw), the batter must clear the area needed by the defense for the play. If he has the opportunity to clear the area and does not, any hindrance should be ruled batter INT. For this play, the batters box is NOT sanctuary (more or less).

Part of the difficulty of teaching batters is that in one case we expect them NOT to move, and in the other we expect them to move.

[noumpere]

 

 

It's not a sanctuary for the batter.  He can't just stand there and interfere, intentional or not.

Well, he can just stand there -- and if that's whet he does, it's NOT INT even if he's in F2's way.

 

 

I think you two might be talking about different kinds of play.

1. Regarding the OP, where F2 "comes up throwing": the batter should just stand there, and then any hindrance should be ruled incidental. For this play, the batters box is sanctuary (more or less).
2. For a play at the plate (like a double steal, after F2 throws to 2B and is waiting for a return throw), the batter must clear the area needed by the defense for the play. If he has the opportunity to clear the area and does not, any hindrance should be ruled batter INT. For this play, the batters box is NOT sanctuary (more or less).

Part of the difficulty of teaching batters is that in one case we expect them NOT to move, and in the other we expect them to move.

 

I was replying as in your #1, as in the OP.

[maven]

I was replying as in your #1, as in the OP.

Of course. I was seeking a way for you both to be correct!

[Aging_Arbiter]

 

Tell your batters to stay put in the box when R2 is stealing third and you should be fine.  

 

Give a man a fish...

 

 

and he'll make sushi?

[HuskerUmp22]

Thanks for the information guys. What would the verbal call be for batter intererence? Would "Time!" "I have batter interference"! be sufficient? 

[maven]

Thanks for the information guys. What would the verbal call be for batter intererence? Would "Time!" "I have batter interference"! be sufficient? 

 

Don't call time: the ball is not dead. If the catcher's first throw retires a runner, the interference is ignored.

 

Point to the batter and verbalize: "That's interference!" Then wait.