On deck hitter interference?

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Jan 20, 2017
16
1
Midland, MI
Does anyone find a rule covering the on deck hitter struck inadvertently by an outfield throw when directing runners when advancing to home from third? Rule 7-1-D from the ASA rule book states the on deck hitter may not interfere with a defensive player's opportunity to make an out. Effect-dead ball, runner closest to home is out. Seems pretty harsh if there was no intent to interfere.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Given the on deck hitters positioning which should be on a straight line if your continued the third base line past the plate about 15 to 20 feet or so away that would be a really errant throw and would not interfere with the catcher trying to make an out if anything it would stop the ball from rolling to the backstop and actually help them, but as with any interference play if they do anything intentionally then it would be interference, they should be trying to get out of the way if at all possible; on a ball coming from the outfield they should have time to get out of the way only real scenario i see them getting plunked and not getting out of the way fast enough would be a relay from third base that is missed by the catcher.

Maybe explaining the positioning of the players and the throw could give us a better insight as to what is happening.
 
Jan 20, 2017
16
1
Midland, MI
This is really a hypothetical situation. I was thinking of a ball that was deflected by the catcher and hit the ODH inadvertently. While the play at the plate is probably over, there would be at least a batter/runner on the bases. Of course to complicate the situation, would be the situation where the ball deflected into a dead ball area(dugout) after striking the ODH. Sticky wicket.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Well if it deflected off the catcher he already had the opportunity to make the out, although there could be more outs to be made, and if it deflected the ODH probably could not anticipate that again barring an intentional act probably a no call but it's been a decade or more since I've umpired.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
NFHS 7-5-3 indicates the on-deck batter may leave the on deck circle to direct a runner advancing from third to home

7-5-4 says: The on-deck batter shall not commit interference with the defensive team.

Penalty: When the interference is with a thrown or pitched ball, the ball is dead and the runner closest to home is declared out. If no play is obvious, no player is out, but runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

The "obvious play" is a judgement by the umpire. At minimum, a thrown or pitched ball hitting the on deck batter is treated as a blocked ball...ball is dead and runners return to last base touched.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
In most rules like this, intent doesn't come into play. If the on deck batter is just lollygagging about with no intent to interfere, it doesn't make her interference any less disruptive to the defense, then if she purposefully got in the way.
 
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
I had an on deck batter pick up a wild pitch with runners on base. She swore in her league "downstate" this was legal. She also used to tell me her glove was on the ground every time the ball rolled under it.

You can imaging she was my favorite.
 

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