Interference?

[Tyler]

In our LL game tonight, the other team had a runner on second, 1 out. The batter struck out - catcher caught the pitch and didn't drop it - and while the catcher was throwing it back to the pitcher the batter, who struck out, ran to first. The pitcher turned to look at him thinking he missed something, while behind him the runner at second stole third. Is this not interference? The batter struck out, not a dropped third, but still ran to first causing a distraction for the other player to steal third. 

[Velho]

The simple answer: as described, this is not Interference. The defense needs to know that the batter is out.

There are other ways this can be approached but they depend on the league culture, level of play and competitiveness, etc. All of that is outside the rulebook though.

[jimurrayalterego]

32 minutes ago, Tyler said:

In our LL game tonight, the other team had a runner on second, 1 out. The batter struck out - catcher caught the pitch and didn't drop it - and while the catcher was throwing it back to the pitcher the batter, who struck out, ran to first. The pitcher turned to look at him thinking he missed something, while behind him the runner at second stole third. Is this not interference? The batter struck out, not a dropped third, but still ran to first causing a distraction for the other player to steal third. 

So that won't happen again, right?

[ousafe]

In LL for this situation, the umpire is taught to verbalize emphatically "He's out, he's out, he's still out!" with matching hammer "out" mechanics.

We celebrate progress if that actually happens.

[beerguy55]

13 hours ago, Tyler said:

In our LL game tonight, the other team had a runner on second, 1 out. The batter struck out - catcher caught the pitch and didn't drop it - and while the catcher was throwing it back to the pitcher the batter, who struck out, ran to first. The pitcher turned to look at him thinking he missed something, while behind him the runner at second stole third. Is this not interference? The batter struck out, not a dropped third, but still ran to first causing a distraction for the other player to steal third. 

You would have to have a scenario where this was a planned play by the offense to draw the throw, and the umpire knew with 100% certainty that it was entirely intentional, and MAYBE you could talk about unsportsmanlike conduct...AND EVEN THEN, you likely don't have a case, because trick plays are - to varying degrees - a legal element of the game.

 

NOTE: in all likelihood this isn't intentional...you just have a (poorly coached) kid who has been taught to run on every third strike, just in case.  More appropriate coaching would be to teach situational awareness.  Even better coaching is "don't strike out, kid".

[Coach Carl]

7.09 - It is interference by a batter or a runner when -

e) Any batter or runner who has just been put out hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for interference by a teammate;

Instructor comments from the 2018 LL RIM (relevant part bolded):

When a runner is moving toward second base on a double play ball, there is no requirement for the runner to slide. The fielder must expect the runner to be there. As long as the runner is moving toward the base, there would generally be no interference.

If sliding into second base, the runner must be able to reach the base with hand or feet. If the sliding runner is not able to reach the base with his/ her hand or feet, and in the umpires judgment the slide caused the second baseman not to complete the double play, call interference and get the out at first base also.

If the batter or a runner continues to advance after he/she has been put out, he/she shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impending the fielders. 

If contact between the runner and fielder occurs after the ball is released, there would be no interference.

[Velho]

3 hours ago, ousafe said:

In LL for this situation, the umpire is taught to verbalize emphatically "He's out, he's out, he's still out!" with matching hammer "out" mechanics.

100%. Thanks for adding. I like the escalation we've been taught out my way: "Out! OUT!! STILL OUT!!!!" (updated for the new  pronoun style guide)

[Aging_Arbiter]

On 4/22/2025 at 12:33 PM, beerguy55 said:

...you just have a (poorly coached) kid

because MOST coaches are clueless themselves

[beerguy55]

33 minutes ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

because MOST coaches are clueless themselves

Hard to argue with that.  You get what you paid for.  Most coaches are the dad who was closest to the equipment bag and the introduction meeting.