Double Steal - Interference?

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Solty:
Runners on first and second - double steal.
Catcher hits the batter's bat during his throw - ball sails into left field.
What's the call?
a) if the hitter didn't move into the catcher's path, and was in the box
b) if the hitter backed up and got in the catcher's way

The batter's box does not guarantee protection from interference. That said, from your description, in "a", if the batter froze in place, I have nothing. In "b" I have batter's interference whether he is in or out of the box. Batter's out, runners return.

If it's B, you have interference....which probably won't get called if the batter is in the box. Yeah, I know the umps don't like to hear that but very few call that correctly even at the HS level. I am very impressed with those that actually know how to apply the rule.

Don't worry too much, by HS rarely do teams try to steal 3rd. Worry more about the hitter lunging at a pitch, taking out in front of the catcher on an attempt to steal 2nd. Most won't call it even if the catcher has to double clutch or side step the hitter if there is no contact. Or the long follow through on a swing that hits a catcher during the steal attempt.

quote:

Originally posted by S. Abrams:
If it's B, you have interference....which probably won't get called if the batter is in the box. Yeah, I know the umps don't like to hear that but very few call that correctly even at the HS level.

I am disappointed that umpires in your area fail to recognize or call batter's interference properly. Having worked in five different states I have not found that to be a universal condition.

Jimmy03,

Please come to Atlanta and teach some of our umpires. Many of the HS umps also work the youth games and it almost seems the HS game has gotten too fast for them. It has gotten to the point this year that I've heard coaches tell catchers to go ahead and hit the batter with the throw intentionally.