The rule is when a catcher obstructs a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball. Were they trying to hit the ball on the back swing?
Catcher's interference
- Thread starter Itsabouttime
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
Short answer...no.
Not only is the short answer "no" but so is the correct answer. If the catcher impeded the batter's swing, including any natural backswing, that is catcher's obstruction. The question you have to ask is whether the swing was affected. By saying you can't have it on a back swing implies that the catcher can just grab the batter's bat any time prior to a forward swing. That, of course, sounds absurd, because it is. So is not calling catcher's obstruction in that case.
Keep in mind, the ball would have to be released. If there is contact made prior to delivery, call time and restart. Likewise, if the ball is in the catcher's glove before the swing, you can't have catcher's obstruction there because the opportunity for the batter to strike the ball has ended. You may, however, have batter's interference.
It helps to know the purpose of a rule and why it exists when trying to answer these questions.
