R1 - nobody out.
Batter hits grounder to F6 -- but in the process of following through with his swing, batter throws his bat at the catcher. (that's how it was told to me).
Ump then calls "interference".
Batter stops,
Defense fields the ball and turns a 6-4-3 double play.
30-minute discussion ensues with league officials brought in.
Was it a dead ball?... Was it still live?... Where should the runner be placed?... Isn't the batter automatically out? ...
Final ruling was that the double play was valid, because the defense shouldn't be penalized because of offensive interference.
Ump was told by league officials later that he shouldn't have verbally called out "interference" -- just let the play develop and then rule afterwards.
After reading and re-reading the rulebook, I think the final ruling was probably correct, but I'm not sure the ump was wrong to call out "interference". Rulebook seems to say that's what you're supposed to do.
Problem is that most of the time interference results in a dead ball -- but not always.
I'd be interested in comments from experienced umps about whether it's correct to verbally call out "interference" if the play can legally continue.
On catcher's interference, the rulebook is very clear that the offensive team has the option to decline the interference and accept the play. The language in the book isn't quite so crystal clear on the reverse situation where there's batter interference and what the defense's options are.
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