Batter interference on a walk

[KCPhoto]

Just had a batter walk with a runner on third. Runner stole home on the catcher's throw to the pitcher. Blue was slow to call ball 4. When she did, batter started for first and ran into the throw coming back from the pitcher. Blue called runner out for interference.

Did the batter have a responsibility to avoid a thrown ball?

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[Strike2]

Based on what you wrote, the umpire appears to be an idiot. Unless the batter did something deliberately to get in the way of the return throw, calling that "interference" is ridiculous.

 

[wheresmycar]

"Slow to call ball 4"? Many umps don't call "balls" at all.
Anyway. After ball 4, the batter is now a "Runner". And any runner must not interfere with a fielder making a play. So, the runner was probably called out for impeding the catcher, not for being struck by a thrown ball.

 

[inde53546]

Have seen similar plays like this but different, all result in outs. Play 1. Batter strikes out, runner on 1b steals. Batter walks in front of home plate to return to dugout. Takes the throw in the ear hole. Runner at 1b is called out. Play 2. Runner on 2nd stealing 3b. Batter immediately upon pitch crossing plate steps out of box to get the sign from the coach and gets nailed by the throw. Batter is out runner returned 2b.

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[Chris8]

"Slow to call ball 4"? Many umps don't call "balls" at all.
Anyway. After ball 4, the batter is now a "Runner". And any runner must not interfere with a fielder making a play. So, the runner was probably called out for impeding the catcher, not for being struck by a thrown ball.

WMC....read the OP again. It says Runner from 3B stole home on throw from catcher to the pitcher.

The pitcher received the ball, Batter or waiting for throw back to pitcher heads to 1B. Runner is stealing home. Pitcher throws ball back to catcher to try and get the runner out at home. Throw from pitcher hits the batter/runner.

Wouldn't this be similar to a runner stealing second? Throw from catcher hits runner? That's not interference. Or a throw on a runner advancing from 1st to 2b and 1B throws ball and hits runner in the back. That's not interference.

As written it seems the umpire got the call wrong.

 

[Chris8]

Just had a batter walk with a runner on third. Runner stole home on the catcher's throw to the pitcher. Blue was slow to call ball 4. When she did, batter started for first and ran into the throw coming back from the pitcher. Blue called runner out for interference.

Did the batter have a responsibility to avoid a thrown ball?

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KCPHOTO- Clarification. The pitcher received the ball from the catcher? AND then the pitcher threw the ball back home to get the runner stealing from third. And the throw from the pitcher hit the batter/runner?

 

[KCPhoto]

KCPHOTO- Clarification. The pitcher received the ball from the catcher? AND then the pitcher threw the ball back home to get the runner stealing from third. And the throw from the pitcher hit the batter/runner?

Yes. Batter was inexperienced and didn't move till Blue told her to take her base. She ran right into the ball and the catcher ran into her back.

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[MTR]

Yes that is interference by the BR

 

[jackfrost]

Yes that is interference by the BR

why is that interference by the batter? She became a batter/runner and was legally running the bases. She was not interfering with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball nor did she affect a fielder attempting to throw the ball. Is there a rule covering this?

 

[MTR]

why is that interference by the batter? She became a batter/runner and was legally running the bases. She was not interfering with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball nor did she affect a fielder attempting to throw the ball. Is there a rule covering this?

You can start with the definition of interference. The ball is in play and the BR has no protection allowing them to affect a play by the defense and it need not be intentional.