Batter Interference

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

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

Feb 13, 2015
164
18
Had a situation this weekend where the opposing team's batters stayed in the box when runners were coming home on passed balls. Happened 3 times. This is rec league and our only experienced pitcher was absent. The sanction we play under, I believe, is called "whatever blue decides to make up tonight".

On the first incident, catcher tried to lob the ball over over the batter's head, no call. I asked for interference, no luck.
Second time, catcher threw the ball wide, around the batter, and the pitcher couldn't catch it, still no interference.
Third time, catcher held the ball while yelling at the batter.

I asked the ump why he wouldn't call interference on these batters. He said he was warning them to get out of the way, but without contact there is no interference. I walked him over to the fence, told him I needed to educate my parents who were getting upset. I asked him "So, I need to instruct my catcher to hit the batter with the ball for there to be interference?" He announced "Yes" loud enough for all the parents to hear.

Anyone want to help me understand batter interference when a runner is coming home? :confused:
 
Last edited:
Jun 13, 2018
33
8
Batters are not required to step out of the box, however they are required not to interfere, intentional or otherwise. If by staying in the box she prevented or hindered the defense from potentially getting an out then that's interference. Batter out and all runners return to previous base.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I thought batters were not required to step out of the box?

Batters are not required to vacate the box for throws to other bases. As long as they stay stationary in the box and do not actively hinder the catcher in throwing they are not guilty of interference if hit by a throw. Plays at the plate are different, I believe the rule book uses the term the batters box is not a safe haven. The batter must vacate the area the defense needs to make a play at the plate.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Batters are not required to step out of the box, however they are required not to interfere, intentional or otherwise. If by staying in the box she prevented or hindered the defense from potentially getting an out then that's interference. Batter out and all runners return to previous base.

Speaking USA, the runner attempting to score could also be ruled out
 
Jun 14, 2018
172
28
Don't mean to high jack this post but what is the batter to do? My DD (11yo) is a left handed catcher who complains to the umps that the batters are getting in her way on the throw down to third. This past weekend she had said something to the ump twice before letting the ball fly and smoking a batter in the back of the helmet. The batter was called out and the runners had to back due to interference. Why was the call made then and no other time before that?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
It should not have been called.

As long as batter stands still your DD needs to figure it out.

(you might want to start your own thread in catching section to see how other catchers deal with it)
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top