Catchers Interference

[umpire_scott]

At what point do you call CI for reaching forward over the plate to catch a pitch?  Do you get it right away or if it does not appear to hinder the batter do you leave it alone?  Obviously if the batter swings then he is likely to make contact with the mitt, but if he holds up it is hard to determine if he held up because of the catchers movement.

[Kevin_K]

When you judge that F2s actions have (or would have) impeded the batter's actions.

It's similar to any other actions that are judgment calls like obstruction of a runner, a ball batted off a batter while still in the box, or runners lane violations. The sooner you recognize the situation you should make it known that you have seen it and have ruled one way or another.

For example, if F3 stretches really far to get a throw and some may think there is a pulled foot, it is a good game management practice to tell everyone "Yes he held!" while making your call, since in your judgment, the fielder held the bag. It lets all involved know that you saw the concern and have ruled on it already. Another example might be when there is a potential of batter's interference on F2 making a play. If you point at the batter and say "That's nothing!" you avoid potential questions/arguments about interference by telling everyone you saw it and have nothing on it.