Squeeze play - batter interference?

[wonkump]

This one has been bugging me.... Slow moving Legion JV game. R2 and R3, no outs. OC puts on the squeeze play, batter leans over the plate for the bunt. Batter misses the pitch, but continues to lean over the plate. The catcher catches the pitch, STANDS up to get the runner who is breaking late. The catcher runs into the batter, but still gets 3 feet up the 3rd base line to try to tag the runner. Gets there late, runner slides under tag; safe. I make my call ( SAFE, no interference) and immediately ask my partner (veteran ump, great rep, but first time together) if he has interference. He says, its a tough one, but he's got the same thing i do. Of course the DC wants batter's interference. I rule that I've got nothing because the batter has a right to the box, and the catcher had time to put himself in a better position to get the runner. I think if the catcher would have blocked the plate or at least put his glove at the corner of the plate he would have got him.

At what point does a Batter have to vacate a congested area?

[JaxRolo]

Everything happens quickly. He was trying to bunt. Nothing wrong leaning over if he is in the process of trying to hit the ball. Can't expect him to get out of the way too quickly.

I got nothing the way I envision it.

[noumpere]

I rule that I've got nothing because the batter has a right to the box,

​Probably the right call for the wrong reason.

[Replacematt]

This one has been bugging me.... Slow moving Legion JV game. R2 and R3, no outs. OC puts on the squeeze play, batter leans over the plate for the bunt. Batter misses the pitch, but continues to lean over the plate. The catcher catches the pitch, STANDS up to get the runner who is breaking late. The catcher runs into the batter, but still gets 3 feet up the 3rd base line to try to tag the runner. Gets there late, runner slides under tag; safe. I make my call ( SAFE, no interference) and immediately ask my partner (veteran ump, great rep, but first time together) if he has interference. He says, its a tough one, but he's got the same thing i do. Of course the DC wants batter's interference. I rule that I've got nothing because the batter has a right to the box, and the catcher had time to put himself in a better position to get the runner. I think if the catcher would have blocked the plate or at least put his glove at the corner of the plate he would have got him.

At what point does a Batter have to vacate a congested area?

​About how long did he continue to lean over the plate? Past when the actual attempt was concluded?

[wonkump]

He did lean a little longer than needed, but I felt that the catcher standing made things worse. 

NOUMPERE, what is the RIGHT reason? I do need to work on my explanations...

[maven]

At what point does a Batter have to vacate a congested area?

​He must vacate the area within 1.5 seconds of missing the pitch.

I keed, I keed.

The rules require that the batter vacate space needed by the defense IF he has the opportunity to do so. On a steal of home, unless it's REALLY delayed, he does not have that opportunity. The rule does not require him to disappear after missing the pitch.

It's misleading to say the batter has a "right to the box," since if he had such a right, then he would not need to vacate it. But he does have to vacate, if he has time to do so, so there's no such right. Rather, the defense has a (conditional) right to the space they need to make a play.

On a bang-bang play, provided he did nothing but stand in the box, you'd be correct to rule nothing and just call the safe/out on R3.

[Rich Ives]

​About how long did he continue to lean over the plate? Past when the actual attempt was concluded?

​Why did the catcher try to run up the line to make the tag? Not "normal". Trying to grab a call?

[wonkump]

I think there was gamesmanship on both sides. Also, remember it's JV.  He had time to run up the line to get the runner. 

[Replacematt]

​Why did the catcher try to run up the line to make the tag? Not "normal". Trying to grab a call?

​Not relevant to the question.

[Rich Ives]

​Not relevant to the question.

​It could be if the catcher initiated the contact on purpose to draw the call.

[Replacematt]

​It could be if the catcher initiated the contact on purpose to draw the call.​

There's a purpose to my question. It is not relevant.