Catcher throwing to 2nd & contact with the batter

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Feb 17, 2014
551
28
I am interested to hear the rules regarding this situation.

A left handed batter reaches for an outside pitch trying to bunt it and misses. As the catcher is throwing the ball to 2nd for a stealing base runner, the batter hits the catcher with the bat as she is pulling the bat back to her body. The batter never leaves the batter's box.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Just because she is in the batter's box does not mean she has free reign to do anything she wants.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
The way I understand the rule is that if the batter is simply making what would be considered a "normal" follow-through of her swing it is the catcher's job to figure out how to throw without hitting her. However, if the batter is making some other movement-even in the box- that ineterferes with the catcher's throw then it could/should be interference.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
I am interested to hear the rules regarding this situation.

A left handed batter reaches for an outside pitch trying to bunt it and misses. As the catcher is throwing the ball to 2nd for a stealing base runner, the batter hits the catcher with the bat as she is pulling the bat back to her body. The batter never leaves the batter's box.

What code/rule set? This is something that can vary from organization to organization.

USA Softball presents three rules that could be applied depending on the circumstance:
Rule 7 — Batting
Section 6 — The batter is out
R) When hindering the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box.
I know the OP said she stayed in the box, but I included this to show that intent is not part of the rule.
S) When actively hindering the catcher while in the batter’s box.
T) When intentionally interfering with a thrown ball, in or out of the batter’s box.


So, in USA, the batter could be called out for interfering outside the box whether it is intentional or not. The batter could be called out for intentionally interfering, whether she is in the box or out of the box. The batter can also be called for for an action inside the box, whether intentional or not, that interferes.

NFHS (2016)
Rule 7 Batting
SECTION 4 BATTER IS OUT
ART. 4 . . . The batter interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate, by stepping out of the batter's box, by making any movement which hinders action at home after the pitch reaches the catcher or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner, or by failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate congested area when there is a throw to home and there is time for the batter to move away.
PENALTY: The ball is dead immediately. Runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.


While NFHS draws some “lines” (over the plate and out of the box), they are looking more at the batter’s actions than where the interference occurred. Intent is not considered.

USSSA’s rule is essentially identical to NFHS.
 
Aug 1, 2019
195
43
South Carolina
Just to add, here is a case play from NFHS that is applicable:

7.4.4 SITUATION A:
With less than two outs, R1 on second and B2 at the plate, R1 attempts to steal third. In the process, B2 does not swing or does swing and (a) makes no attempt to get out of the way of the catcher throwing to third or (b) is unable to make an attempt to get out of the way of the catcher throwing to third. As a result, F2 is unable to play on the runner.
RULING: B2 is not guilty of interference in (a) or (b). B2 is entitled to her position in the batter's box and is not subject to interference unless she moves or re-establishes her position after F2 has received the pitch, which then prevents F2 from attempting to play on a runner. Failing to move so the catcher can make a throw is not batter interference.

Note what I highlighted, which sounds like what the batter did in your scenario. Her move to bring the bat back to her body hindered the catcher's play, so she would be guilty of interference.

As for USA, rule 7-6S quoted above about the batter "actively hindering the catcher" would apply here. The batter basically should not have made any subsequent movement such as bringing the bat back after missing the bunt. Any unnecessary movement while in the box that impedes the catcher's ability to make a play on a runner is considered active hindrance.
 
Apr 17, 2012
806
18
Wi
Did she get a strike called for the missed attempt? Just want to verify she wasn’t pulling back so she didn’t make an attempt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top