@NewUmpire posted:Question 1 - may be a situation where you have to see it... but the fact that the batter stepped back toward 3b dugout - makes me lean toward interference. There is no provision for intent.
Question 2 - If the ball goes out of play from a pitch. 1 base. The rule is from the rubber - not the mound. If a P goes to pick off a runner at 1b as he hop steps and throws, he has not disengeged the rubber and if the ball sails into the stands 1 base. Same play but P steps back off the rubber and ball sails into the stands 2 bases. Since he disengaged the rubber he is now a fielder - no different than a SS or 2B.
Rule of thumb - 2 bases awarded from any fielder when ball thrown out of bounds. The award is determined at the last base legally obtained by the runner at the time of the throw, not the time it went out of play. A pitcher on the rubber is not considered a fielder (for this rule).
My guy stepping back is what made me think it was going to get called but the timing of the play and just not good baseball by the catcher got me thinking when does it go from textbook rules to judgement that we play on. Honestly if I was the defensive coach I would have wanted it called but I would understand it not being called based on how it went down. It's funny because the catcher had a very good game. He hosed two of my guys already trying to steal 2B. It was just this play wasn't good.
The semantics of rubber and mound make sense and understand. Poor wording on my part.
TXballDad - us getting this call might be karma paying us back. Twice this year I've had batters swing through a H/R but not falling over the plate get called for interference. I could never get a good explanation as to what my guy did either time. Both times catchers made good throws but we were safe except they go back and my batter was out LOL.