batters interference

[Guest dwent]

Tournament play under MLB rules: 0-1 count on batter, runner on first breaks for second. Batter swings at pitch misses but momentum carries him over the plate as catcher is throwing to second interfering with throw. Question is, is batter or runner called out. I say batter and runner returns. Coach insisted runner is always out ( he insisted to much and watched from parking lot). Also if batter would have struck out on pitch and incurred same interfer then would runner be called out ?

[johnnyg08]

Depends...if the throw did not retire the runner, the batter is out and the runner returns unless it's a swinging strike three (or called I suppose), then the runner is out.

[johnnyg08]

Remember, it's delayed dead...the throw could retire the runner.  If it doesn't then you enforce the penalty. 

See it

Call it

Wait and see what happens

Enforce it.

[maven]

Question is, is batter or runner called out. I say batter and runner returns.

​If the first throw retires the runner, the INT is ignored.

Otherwise, enforce the penalty: either (a) the batter is out for his INT, the runners return, or (b) if the batter struck out before interfering, the strikeout counts and the runner played on is out for the batter's INT.

[umpref19]

ART. 5 . . . Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by: a. leaning over home plate, b. stepping out of the batter’s box, c. making any other movement, including follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or d. failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate a congested area when there is a throw to home plate and there is time for the batter to move away. PENALTY: When there are two outs, the batter is out. When there are not two outs and the runner is advancing to home plate, if the runner is tagged out, the ball remains live and interference is ignored. Otherwise, the ball is dead and the runner is called out. When an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the batter is out and all runners must return to bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire’s judgment interference prevents a possible double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out (8-4-2g).

[mw94]

ART. 5 . . . Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by: a. leaning over home plate, b. stepping out of the batter’s box, c. making any other movement, including follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or d. failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate a congested area when there is a throw to home plate and there is time for the batter to move away. PENALTY: When there are two outs, the batter is out. When there are not two outs and the runner is advancing to home plate, if the runner is tagged out, the ball remains live and interference is ignored. Otherwise, the ball is dead and the runner is called out. When an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the batter is out and all runners must return to bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire’s judgment interference prevents a possible double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out (8-4-2g).

​He said OBR rules , please don't quote Fed only causes potential confusion . And this is an example of a major BRD , in OBR if the batter strikes out , by interpretation YOU always bang out the runner and have a double play. In Fed the umpire could make the judgement that the runner at second would not have been put out and return him  to 1st base(last line on of Art.5)

Edited May 19, 2015 by mw94

[umpref19]

Sorry for the confusion. Rule 2 art A interference. Pg. 17

[umpref19]

Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. Rule 2.00 (Interference (a)) Comment: In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch. (b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. (c) Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play, or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder. Rule 2.00 (Interference (c)) Comment: Umpire interference may also occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the ball to the pitcher.