Batter interference

[Stew]

R3 attempting to steal home, 0 or 1 outs. Normal batter interference would see the runner from 3rd out. But if the pitcher steps off and throws home, is it still the runner stealing that is out? My thinking is that since the pitcher steps off and is no longer a pitcher but just a defensive fielder, logically wouldn't that make the batter not a batter and just another offensive player(since he cannot bat the ball), and therefore it wouldn't be batter interference but simply offensive interference which would see the "batter" out on the interference and the runner attempting to steal sent back to 3rd? 

[beerguy55]

By rule and definition, the batter remains a batter until he is put out or becomes a runner - neither of those things happen in your scenario.

 

Case in point, under the new MLB pitch clock rules, the batter must be in the box and alert to the pitcher, at 8 seconds, no matter where the pitcher is.  The pitcher could be standing behind the mound counting blades of grass...if the clock has started the BATTER has his 8-second mandate.

[BigBlue4u]

2 hours ago, Stew said:

R3 attempting to steal home, 0 or 1 outs. Normal batter interference would see the runner from 3rd out. But if the pitcher steps off and throws home, is it still the runner stealing that is out? My thinking is that since the pitcher steps off and is no longer a pitcher but just a defensive fielder, logically wouldn't that make the batter not a batter and just another offensive player(since he cannot bat the ball), and therefore it wouldn't be batter interference but simply offensive interference which would see the "batter" out on the interference and the runner attempting to steal sent back to 3rd? 

Take a look at the MLB definition of batter.  If a player is in the batter's box, he is a batter.  The NFHS definition is similar.