Backswing Interference

[jpperez14]

Runner on 1st, 1 out.

Runner steals on the pitch, batter swings and misses, bat comes all the way around and hits the back of the catcher as the catcher is starting to throw to 2nd.

As soon as it happens, I call time, signal towards home plate and announce that I have backswing interference and sent the runner back to first. Coach comes out and says in his 20 years of baseball, he has never ever, seen that called. He claims he doesn't even believe that there is such a thing. Walks back to coaching box. My partner said after the inning he heard the coach go outside the dugout, call someone, no idea who, and explained everything that happened and what I said.... hung up the phone and came back to the field, didn't say another word, pretended that nothing ever happened.

[BuckeyeMike]

For the record, this is "follow-through interference", but good job recognizing it.  I would only add that this is a delayed dead ball and not an immediate.  When it happens, just say loudly "Interference!" and let it play out. F2 might get R1 and you ignore the interference/penalty.    

[maven]

FED: This is "follow-through INT," which is simply a version of batter INT. With no throw, the batter is out, the runner returns.

OBR: This is "backswing INT," which is not batter INT. The ball is dead, the pitch counts, nobody is out, and the runner returns.

[BuckeyeMike]

Wow, that's quite a difference that I wasn't aware of......thanks Maven.

[maven]

Wow, that's quite a difference that I wasn't aware of......thanks Maven.

​Yeah, FED has been more than usually helpful with terminology here. See OBR Rule 6.03(a)(3) Comment (Rule 6.06(c) Comment).

[BuckeyeMike]

I'll check it out.

BTW, Even in FED, the pitch counts.  (Just clarifying)

So which penalty do you think should prevail across the board?   The OBR or the FED version?   I'd like to see all codes treat this the same.

I, personally, happen to like the FED penalty better. 

[TheRockawayKid]

I'll check it out.

BTW, Even in FED, the pitch counts.  (Just clarifying)

So which penalty do you think should prevail across the board?   The OBR or the FED version?   I'd like to see all codes treat this the same.

I, personally, happen to like the FED penalty better. 

​It depends what the league is going by. Ask your assignor what the league rules are, and always verify with the coaches if this is a travel league game. 

[Mudder]

FED: This is "follow-through INT," which is simply a version of batter INT. With no throw, the batter is out, the runner returns.

OBR: This is "backswing INT," which is not batter INT. The ball is dead, the pitch counts, nobody is out, and the runner returns.

​So in OBR, is Backswing Int is an immediate dead ball?  I though it was delayed, because if F2 gets the throw off and retires the runner ignore the backswing int, if runner is not retired with the throw, or F2 does not get a throw off then kill the play, runners return, nobody is out.

[maven]

​So in OBR, is Backswing Int is an immediate dead ball?  I though it was delayed, because if F2 gets the throw off and retires the runner ignore the backswing int, if runner is not retired with the throw, or F2 does not get a throw off then kill the play, runners return, nobody is out.

​Yes, immediate. OBR does not treat backswing INT as a kind of batter INT: it's a distinct infraction with a different penalty. Indeed, OBR does not even call the infraction "backswing interference."

"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." Rule 6.03(a)(3) Comment (Rule 6.06(c) Comment)

[Senor Azul]

"When the batter interferes with the catcher's throw, the umpire will call and signal backswing interference and allow the play to continue. If the throw is completed and the runner is retired on the initial throw, the interference is disregarded. If the runner is called safe, the ball is thrown away, a rundown develops, or the throw is not completed, the umpire will call time and return all runners back to their original bases."

From Wendelstedt's rules interpretation manual--same as in PBUC.

[jpperez14]

We were playing under FED rules for tournament, but I ruled under OBR. Haven't really studied FED rules to know what the correct ruling was so I went with OBR. 

Btw, forgot to mention, the catcher did throw the ball but it went barely past the pitchers mound and the catcher went to the ground.

[UmpTTS43]

Azul is correct. If the initial throw by F2 retires the runner then the INT is disregarded. 

[Senor Azul]

The NFHS put out a publication early this year called Baseball 2015 Preseason Guide. In it you will find a casebook play clarifying how to handle follow-through interference:

PLAY 3: With R1 on first and no outs, B2 swings and misses the pitch for strike one. His follow-through hits F2 while F2 is attempting to throw out R1, who is attempting to steal. RULING 3:  If F2's attempt to put out R1 is successful, the interference is ignored and the play stands. Otherwise, B2 is out and R1 is returned to first base.

The rules cited are 2-21-4 and 7-3-5.

Also, if you check the index to the 2014 OBR you will find an entry for "backswing interference."

 

 

I

[catsbackr]

I should know this, and I'm sad to admit I don't, but what is the NCAA rule?

[noumpere]

Same as OBR.

[Senor Azul]

NCAA  If a batter's follow-through hits the catcher, "as the pitch is caught," it is a strike, the ball is dead, and no runners advance. It is not interference. (6-2d)

If the batter's follow-through accidentally hits the catcher "while the catcher is in the act of throwing," it is a strike (but not interference) and the ball is dead unless the catcher's throw retires a runner. (6-2d-2)

On a third strike, the ball is dead; the batter is out. (6-2d-1)

From Carl Childress' 2014 BRD p. 169

[jpperez14]

So let me get this straight so ill know for future references.....
 

In FED, backswing interference (follow-through interference?) is when the batter swings all the way around and the bat contacts the catcher on his throw to a base resulting in a) R1 is out b) R1 reaches 2nd safely c) no throw.   a-interference ignored. b and c-Batter is out, R1 returns to 1st

Also, in FED, batter swings or leans and falls across the plate (Batter's interference?), catcher attempts to retire R1 at 2nd, same results in A,B,C.

 

In OBR, backswing interference, R1 returns to first and count remains the same, unless R1 is retired at 2nd, resulting in runner out and count remains the same.

batters interference, R1 returns with batter out, unless R1 is retired at 2nd. If its strike 3, Batter and R1 are out?

 

[Cav]

So let me get this straight so ill know for future references.....In FED, backswing interference (follow-through interference?)...​

Stop!  Breathe.  Read.

FOLLOW-THROUGH AND BACKSWING INTERFERENCE (2-21-4 and 5)

Follow-through and backswing interference are two separate and distinct acts and the penalties reflect their differences.

2-21-5. Backswing interference is when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time of the pitch.

5-1-1. Ball becomes dead immediately when: n. Backswing interference occurs.

CLARIFYING BATTER’S INTERFERENCE (7-3-5c)

After reviewing this rule change from last year, it became evident that the term “backswing” did not accurately capture the infraction. It was determined at the rules committee level that the term “follow-through” was more descriptive whenever the batter’s movement interferes with action at home plate or hinders the catcher’s attempt to make a play on a runner.

2-21-4. 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.

7[A batter shall not]-3-5. Interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by: 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...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). 

8-4-2[Any runner is out when he]g...If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner ­including the batter-runner interferes in any way and prevents a double play anywhere, two shall be declared out (the runner who interfered and the other runner involved). If a retired runner interferes, and in the judgment of the umpire, another runner could have been put out, the umpire shall declare that runner out. If the umpire is uncertain who would have been played on, the runner closest to home shall be called out;

[noumpere]

So let me get this straight so ill know for future references.....
 

In FED, backswing interference (follow-through interference?) is when the batter swings all the way around and the bat contacts the catcher on his throw to a base resulting in a) R1 is out b) R1 reaches 2nd safely c) no throw.   a-interference ignored. b and c-Batter is out, R1 returns to 1st

Also, in FED, batter swings or leans and falls across the plate (Batter's interference?), catcher attempts to retire R1 at 2nd, same results in A,B,C.

 

In OBR, backswing interference, R1 returns to first and count remains the same, unless R1 is retired at 2nd, resulting in runner out and count remains the same.

batters interference, R1 returns with batter out, unless R1 is retired at 2nd. If its strike 3, Batter and R1 are out?

 

​FED does not distinguish between "follow-through" interference and other kinds of BI.  Both are treated the same -- the batter is responsible for all his actions after the swing.  So, that's why the batter is out (generally).

 

OBR has a concept called "soft interference"  that applies to the actions of a long swing.  OBR recognizes that it happens, accidentally, and thinks that, while no one should be penalized, no one should benefit, either.  So, that's why the runner just returns (generally).

 

A similar concept applies to OBS -- in FED, a runner always gets a base; in OBR, sometimes a runner does not get a base.

[Trapper]

So is there anything if there are no runners on base and the batter hits the catcher on his follow through? 

Edited June 1, 2015 by Trapper

[maven]

What would such contact hinder?

[jpperez14]

I guess what I don't understand is how do you have backswing interference on contact before a pitch? Unless they are talking about while the batter is taking practice cuts and accidently hits him?

[noumpere]

I guess what I don't understand is how do you have backswing interference on contact before a pitch? Unless they are talking about while the batter is taking practice cuts and accidently hits him?

​What FED means by this is the action when B1 "waggles" his bat and draws it back toward his shoulder and clips F2's glove.

 

All (?) of us were just killing this anyway (both B1 and F2 were distracted and you don't want a pitch coming in until they reset); FED just codified it.

Edited June 1, 2015 by noumpere

[jpperez14]

​What FED means by this is the action when B1 "waggles" his bat and draws it back toward his shoulder and clips F2's glove.

 

All (?) of us were just killing this anyway (both B1 and F2 were distracted and you don't want a pitch coming in until they reset); FED just codified it.

Gotcha. I understand now. Even then, I wouldn't rule backswing interference, I'd just call time and kill it. 

[Trapper]

What would such contact hinder?

​Maven, I don't think it would hinder anything but could it be a safety issue like throwing the bat is where my brain was headed?    I wish I was near a real computer and not on my phone, I would look it up.  Thank you for any info/help.