Batter interference

NavyUmp10+ posts

R1 and R2, 0 outs. Runners stealing. Batter swings and misses. Catcher comes up ready to throw to third but batter's follow through swing hits catchers glove/mask. Catcher doesn't even get off the throw. I kill it when no throw is attempted and have the batter out, runners return.

You can imagine there was a lot of call from the stands that it was catcher obstruction and the batter should be awarded 1B. but it was clearly on the follow through that the bat struck the catcher.

My only 2nd thoughts are what could the batter have done to prevent it. But catcher was doing his job also. Any comments. Somewhat of a HTBT i guess.

5/1/091:07 AM

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dash_riprock1,000+ posts

Sounds like you got it right. I wish FED had soft/weak/backswing INT in the rule book.

5/1/092:13 AM

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3FingeredGlove1,000+ posts

The case book has:
"7.3.5 SITUATION F: With R1 on third, one out and two strikes on B3, B3 swings at and misses the pitch. The ball bounces off F2’s glove into the air, where it is hit by B3’s follow-through. The ball rolls to the back stop. B3 reaches first base safely and R1 scores. RULING: The ball is dead immediately. B3 is out for interference and R1 returns to third base. A batter is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to hit the ball, just as the catcher is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to field the ball. Once the batter swings, he is responsible for his follow-through."

and....
"8.4.1 SITUATION H: B1 swings and misses a pitch for strike three. As F2 is attempting to catch the pitch, B1 hits F2 with the bat on the follow-through, hindering F2’s attempt to catch the ball. RULING: B1 is out for interference."

So I think you called it correctly (in FEDlandia).

5/1/092:48 AM

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