Batter Interference

This depends on what rules you are playing.....

Under NFHS rules this is batter interference and the batter is called out...

NFHS rule 7.3.5f 8.4.1h

If a batter's follow through hinders a catcher attempting to field a ball, the batter is guilty of interference.

Penalty: the ball is dead, Batter is out and runners remain at bases @TOI (time of interference)

Under NCAA or OBR.... Ruling is dead ball, strike, no interference and runners return.

PIAA - can you expand on this a bit - does this include if no one is on - O-0 count - any help you can be is appreciated

well, this is kind of a hole in the NFHS rule......the NFHS rule, per the strict interpretation, does not differ in application if there are 0,1 or 2 strikes nor does it matter how many outs there are....so from the rule book, the question is should the batter be called out if he interferes with the catcher?.........and the answer is yes......theoretically........

In practice, most of the authoritative rules guides (in this case the BRD) says it is better to follow the NCAA rule on strike 1 or strike 2 and only use the strict NFHS interp for strike 3)

NCAA would be dead ball strike, return runners to T.O.P

Confusing enough?......This is one area where the NFHS rules puts umpires in to conflict with the rule book. It is possible to rule correctly by the rule book and violate standard practice.....or use standard practice and violate the strict NFHS rule......

Thanks for the reply!!!!!!!!!! I might be in the minority here but I have seen many more good umpires then marginal ones and very few bad ones.

Saw an ump tonight - he just loved being on the field/loved baseball - great ump