Batter interferance

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Jun 14, 2018
172
28
After a swing and a miss for strike three the batter walked across the plate blocking the catcher from making a throw on a runner that was advancing. The catcher tried but bumped into said batter and did not throw the ball. IMO the runner should have been made to return to the base she was at pre pitch and since the batter was already out there was no other penalty to be enforced.

Am I right or wrong? It was USA rules just FYI
 
Apr 17, 2012
806
18
Wi
Since the batter was out on strike 3 and interference occurred after the out i believe the runner closest to home would be called out as well? All other runners return. Just a guess 8-7-p addresses a similar situation

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Feb 26, 2018
328
28
I would think the catcher needs to avoid the batter just as if they were attempting a throw and the batter wasn't out. It's not on the batter to get out of the way in those situations from my understanding
 
May 7, 2015
842
93
SoCal
As long as the batter stays in the batters box, there can be no interference and the catcher has to move around the batter. If the batter leaves the box, then there's a problem. Runner closest to home should be out as well as the K

The catcher should have thrown the ball after contact
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
As long as the batter stays in the batters box, there can be no interference and the catcher has to move around the batter. If the batter leaves the box, then there's a problem. Runner closest to home should be out as well as the K

The catcher should have thrown the ball after contact

^^^^Best answer^^^^
 

NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
The catcher needs to throw the ball even if the throw only goes 5 feet because of the out of batters box contact. Then and only then can interference be called. Without the throw there is no play.

A similar situation is the catcher throwing out a runner going to 1B who is out of the running lane. The catcher must throw the ball and have it hit the runner outside the running lane for interference to be called. Otherwise no play and the runner is safe.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
As long as the batter stays in the batters box, there can be no interference and the catcher has to move around the batter. If the batter leaves the box, then there's a problem. Runner closest to home should be out as well as the K

This hasn't been true for a while, at least since 2006 in USA. If the batter makes any movement not natural to the swing or moves within the box if there is no swing, and interferes with the catcher attempting to make a play, it is interference. If the batter was not out on the pitch, the batter is ruled out and runners return. If the batter is out at the time of the INT, the runner closest to home is ruled out and any other runners are returned

The catcher should have thrown the ball after contact

Could have, but not necessary for an INT call
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Lot of misinformation in this thread.

No, it is not the same as a running lane violation where a throw is required. A running lane violation is not actually interference with the throw, it is with the defense receiving the throw at 1st base. So there must be a throw and it must be a quality throw. If the catcher throws the ball in the dirt or air mails it into right field it is nothing. In the play posted if the batter gets in the way of the catcher trying to throw the ball and forces the catcher to pull up from throwing it is still interference.

No, as long as the batter remains in the box they are not necessarily protected from being called for interference. They must remain stationary in the batters box, if they are moving around inside the box and interfere with the catchers attempt to play on another runner they are guilty of interference.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I would think the catcher needs to avoid the batter just as if they were attempting a throw and the batter wasn't out. It's not on the batter to get out of the way in those situations from my understanding

The batter, regardless of whether she is out or not yet out, cannot walk in front of the catcher and get in the way of the catcher trying to make a throw. It may not be the batters responsibility to get out of the way, but in this case she clearly put herself in the way.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
As long as the batter stays in the batters box, there can be no interference and the catcher has to move around the batter. If the batter leaves the box, then there's a problem. Runner closest to home should be out as well as the K

The catcher should have thrown the ball after contact

Not necessarily, the batters box isn't a "safe zone" for the batter. Just being in the box doesn't give her carte blanche to interfere. If the catcher is throwing and the batter who never leaves the box, moves in to her way, its interference.
 

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