It might be a dead ball, if the ball bounces off the batter's helmet and goes into the dugout or over the fence. I actually had a play a few years ago where the catcher's pickoff throw hit the batter's bat (she did nothing to interfere), and the ball went over a shortened fence in front of the third base dugout. At the time, there were runners at second and third, so the catcher's bad throw cost her team two runs.
Batter interference?
- Thread starter flash277
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- Jul 12, 2019
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This happened to my daughter's team this weekend. The catcher didn't throw as the batter stepped out of the box and blocked her.
Should the catch have thrown the ball hard into the batter or lobbed the ball at the batter to show "intent" to throw to 3b to get/encourage the umpire to make a call? I can't imagine that anyone would suggest to throw a ball hard at a girls sternum from 5-10 feet away.
An actual throw is not required in this instance. If the catcher appears as if she wants to throw it but doesn’t because the batter got in her way, that’s interference on the batter.
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This converstaion came up today in our game, I was working with a guy who's been umpiring for over 20 years (I'm in my 2nd year). He says, if a runner on 2nd steals third on a pitch, the batter (right handed) must try to get out of way. I said that the batter can stand there like a statue in the box, she doesn't have to duck or move to let the catcher throw to third, as long as she doesn't move to interfere, shes good. Who is right?
- May 29, 2015
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What rule set?
USSSA you already stated the rule on page one here, last year
You would be right. Attempting to get out of the way would put the batter in more jeopardy. Stand like a statue after completing your swing is best legal place to be.
Most players, coaches, and umpires don't understand this scenario: a passed ball gets by the catcher, hits the backstop, bounces back and lands between the legs of the batter still in the batter's box. Answer: The batter must stay motionless and stay in the batter's box. If the ball is touched by the batter while trying to move from the box, she is out for interference.
Do you have a rule quote for this. A batter moving around and interfering with a throw from the catcher is Interference. Not sure I've seen a rule about a passed ball or WP hitting the batter. [there is a rule that specifically applies to a dropped 3rd strike, but I am not aware of a general rule about a ball "touched" by the batter.]
