Batter hits catchers glove

[KCKUMP]

Ok weird situation that happened last night. Batter in box all the way back and catcher in normal position. Pitch comes in and batter takes a swing that looks to be not normal and swings almost down at the back of the box hitting the catchers glove. My question is can you call intent from the batter to hit the catchers glove on purpose? The ump called it that way and everyone blew up but after the game one of the batters teammates said he was trying to do that. Never had this happen and not sure if there is even a case play for it

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, KCKUMP said:

Ok weird situation that happened last night. Batter in box all the way back and catcher in normal position. Pitch comes in and batter takes a swing that looks to be not normal and swings almost down at the back of the box hitting the catchers glove. My question is can you call intent from the batter to hit the catchers glove on purpose? The ump called it that way and everyone blew up but after the game one of the batters teammates said he was trying to do that. Never had this happen and not sure if there is even a case play for it

NCAA has a rule that addresses it:

"Section 4. A strike is:

h.    Awarded if the batter deliberately steps back in the box or swings in such a
manner to attempt to create catcher’s interference. If the swing hits the catcher
or the mitt, the batter shall be called out. All base runners shall return to the
base occupied at the time of the pitch."

I believe OBR would call a strike, and eject if the swing hit the catcher. I would do the same in FED if I was certain it was deliberate.

[beerguy55]

The question of whether it should be a strike or out aside, I think ANY case of one player using his bat to hit another player is well within the umpire's purview to determine if there was intent, MC and subsequent ejection (and reporting for possible supplementary discipline).

I can't believe NCAA would only have this as an out, and not also a one way ticket to the showers and a suspension afterwards.

[Senor Azul]

This question was asked in May of 2014 and here's what I posted then--the official interpretation shown at that time in Carl Childress' BRD (2011 edition):

Mike Fitzpatrick (former director of PBUC) 11/15/00--The batter may not deliberately attempt to create a catcher's interference call. PENALTY: The ball is dead, strike, and runners do not advance. If the swing hits the catcher, the umpire shall eject the batter. No out is charged unless the batter has two strikes. "The umpire must be ABSOLUTELY certain that the batter was attempting to create the catcher's interference and not attempting to swing at the pitched ball."

 

Additionally, the 2010 Jaksa/Roder manual (p. 117) says it is not catcher's interference if the batter tries to hit the catcher versus the pitch. Here's a sample play from their manual: R3, stealing. The batter takes two or three steps backward during the pitch. Catcher's interference is no longer possible.

[Senor Azul]

For whatever reason, Mr. Childress deleted that Fitzpatrick interpretation and replaced it with one from Wendelstedt (yes, that zany guy) for his 2016 BRD (section 283, p. 184).

OBR Official Interpretation:  Wendelstedt:  If a batter attempts to create catcher’s interference by intentionally directing his swing toward the catcher, no catcher’s interference should be called. However, if such intentional actions interfere with the catcher’s ability to make a play on a runner, interference should be called on the batter, or if for the third strike, on the batter who has just been put out (when the runner is out). (email to Childress, 7/13/12)

And that NCAA rule is found in rule 7 making the full citation 7-4h.

[noumpere]

6 hours ago, Jimurray said:

NCAA has a rule that addresses it:

"Section 4. A strike is:

h.    Awarded if the batter deliberately steps back in the box or swings in such a
manner to attempt to create catcher’s interference. If the swing hits the catcher
or the mitt, the batter shall be called out. All base runners shall return to the
base occupied at the time of the pitch."

I believe OBR would call a strike, and eject if the swing hit the catcher. I would do the same in FED if I was certain it was deliberate.

Thanks.  I spent a minute or two trying to find that earlier -- I knew it was there, just not where.  It seems to me to be in the "wrong" spot in the book.