Bat hits D3K

peter.kottke · Oct 31, 2018

USA rules- two strikes and first base is open. Pitch is swung at and missed. Ball comes right back out of catchers mitt. Batter takes off for first, and after the bat has left her hands, it contacts the ball (in foul territory) knocking it further away from the catcher. Batter/runner reaches first before the throw. What’s the right call and why?

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Big Daddy Michigan · Oct 31, 2018

If I'm understanding the timing correctly, it's a live ball and the runner is safe unless she deliberately used the bat to deflect the ball.

The catcher deflected the ball into the bat which was on the ground (?) so it isn't interference.

Pigskinguru34 · Oct 31, 2018

Big Daddy Michigan said:
If I'm understanding the timing correctly, it's a live ball and the runner is safe unless she deliberately used the bat to deflect the ball.

The catcher deflected the ball into the bat which was on the ground (?) so it isn't interference.

BINGO!

Only way the batter is out is if the umpire's opinion is that the batter deliberately threw their bat at the ball and made contact. If the umpire's judgement is the batter didn't deliberately make contact then the batter is safe at first.

cnardone · Oct 31, 2018

I agree with BDM, but I THINK the umpire has to decide if the bat was intentionally thrown at the ball or catcher to impede the play.

peter.kottke · Oct 31, 2018

To clarify the situation- the bat hit the ball, not the other way around.
Didn’t know if either rule 8.2.F.5 that would have batter-runner out for discarding the bat in a manner that prevents the defense from making a play on the ball, or 8.2.F.6 that has her out for interfering with a dropped third strike applies. Seems they both might but feel it would take a really knowledgeable umpire to parse it out- words like “prevent” and “interfering” might carry special weight or meaning. If one or both of those rules might apply then does intent matter? Does it matter whether bat hits ball (as in this case) or ball hits bat?

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MTR · Oct 31, 2018

peter.kottke said:
To clarify the situation- the bat hit the ball, not the other way around.
Didn’t know if either rule 8.2.F.5 that would have batter-runner out for discarding the bat in a manner that prevents the defense from making a play on the ball, or 8.2.F.6 that has her out for interfering with a dropped third strike applies. Seems they both might but feel it would take a really knowledgeable umpire to parse it out- words like “prevent” and “interfering” might carry special weight or meaning. If one or both of those rules might apply then does intent matter? Does it matter whether bat hits ball (as in this case) or ball hits bat?

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No, intent is irrelevant as it is not a requirement for an interference ruling. While a batter is permitted to discard their bat (not required), s/he is still responsible that in doing so does not interfere with the defense's ability to make a play.

Bat hits D3K

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peter.kottke

Big Daddy Michigan

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cnardone

peter.kottke

MTR

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