Skip to main content

Happened in a youth game. pitch in the dirt and runner on second was stealing. the batter who is obviously a beginner Player and doesn't know better (so no ill intent but still intetional) tries to tip the ball back to the catcher with his bat trying to "help" him (probably doesn't know what was Happening) but while doing that he doesn't really help the catcher but he unintentionally puts it a Little further out of reach so the catcher is clearly obstructed (or Interfered? I always mix that up).

the runner reaches the next base. probably would have reached anyway because it was a youth game but it was clear that the catcher was obstructed.

what should have been the ruling? who is out, batter or runner? or both?

if he was more experienced you could have probably tossed the batter but since it was Little Kids not knowing the game I wouldn't have done it.

what would you have ruled in such a case of intentional obstruction but probably with no ill intent due to Level of Play?

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Dominik85 posted:

even if the runner steals and might have been thrown out?

Yes.  The player who interferes is out (unless he's already out -- perhaps on strike 3 in a play similar to your example) and other runners return.

 

And, this player does not get tossed in any level from tee-ball to LL to HS to College to Pro to adult 55+

Dominik85 posted:

Can you point me to a page in the rulebook? Was discussing that with an ump and would like to present something written

Federation Rules:

That it's a delayed dead ball: 5-1-2a.

That it's batter interference: 7-3-5c.

How it's enforced: The table at 5-1-2a and the penalty note at the end of 7-3-5.

NewUmpire posted:

The interference is a delayed dead ball.  In the original example, say the runner was going from 1st to 2nd... the batter interferes, then the runner attempts to go to third and gets thrown out.  The interference is ignored.  

Once the runner reaches second base safely, time should be called, the batter is out and the runner returns to first base.   There is no way the ball should stay live while the runner advances to third.

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×