BATTER INTERFERENCE

Rule 6.01(a)(2) - It is interference by a batter-runner when... he intentionally deflects the course of a foul ball in any manner.

RULE 6.01(a)(5) - It is interference by a batter or a runner when… any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate.

Rule 6.01(a)(7) - It is interference by a batter-runner when... if, in the judgment of the umpire, a batter-runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead; the umpire shall call the batter-runner out for interference and shall call out the runner who had advanced closest to the home plate regardless where the double play might have been possible. In no event shall bases be run because of such interference.

PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The batter-runner is out and the ball is dead. All other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference.

RULE 6.01(a)(10) Comment: When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called. Obstruction by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way.

RULE 6.03(a)(3) - A batter is out for illegal action when… he interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base.

RULE 6.03(a)(3) Comment: If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner is out – not the batter. Any other runners on base at the time may advance as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play.

Essentially, if a batter does anything that hinders the catcher or any other fielder who is making a play, the batter is out. Take note of RULE 6.03(a)(3) above: the batter’s box is NOT a safe haven for a batter. He can still be called for interference with his feet in the box if an umpire determines he made a movement that hindered the catcher.

SITUATION: Runner at first. One out. The runner attempts to steal on the pitch. The batter, Manny Machado, unintentionally makes contact on his backswing with the catcher attempting to throw out the runner. The umpire knows the Rule 6.03(a)(3) Comment above, and the runner is returned to first base with no interference being called. Great example.

SITUATION: Runner at first. One out. Runner attempts to steal second. The batter checks his swing, and his momentum takes him out in front of the plate. The umpire determines this action hindered the catcher’s attempt to throw out the runner, so the batter is out and the runner is returned to first.

COMMENTS: We’re on a roll here, because this is another picture-perfect example of a rule explained above. This time it’s RULE 6.03(a)(3). The batter hindered the catcher’s throw, so he is out for interference. Easy call. It’s such an easy call that we don’t even catch a whiff of the Arizona manager coming out to discuss or argue it.

SITUATION: The deciding game of the 2015 ALDS. Runner at third. Two outs. After a pitch, the catcher, Russell Martin, throws the ball back to the pitcher, but his thrown ball hits the bat. The ball caroms away, and the runner at third races home. The umpires initially call the play dead. After a conference, it’s determined the batter had done nothing to impede the play of the catcher and the run is scored.

COMMENTS: Whoo, boy. There are a couple of things to note. The batter, Shin-Soo Choo, while in the batter’s box, sticks his arm out with bat in hand as he pulls up his sleeve and begins his reset for the next pitch. As the play develops, the Home Plate Umpire has a brain cramp and immediately signals a dead ball. The MLB Umpire’s Manual spells out this exact situation: “If the batter is standing in the batter's box and he or his bat is struck by the catcher's throw back to the pitcher and, in the umpire's judgment, there is no intent on the part of the batter to interfere with the throw, the ball is alive and in play."

SITUATION: Runner at second. No outs. The batter bunts the ball. He and the catcher are at a crossroads. The umpire determines the batter has done something to interfere with the catcher outside of the situation mentioned in the RULE 6.01(a)(10) Comment above. The batter is declared out, and the runner returns to second base.

COMMENTS: It’s easy to sit here and watch a clip a couple of times before coming to a conclusion. And the more you look at this play, the more it appears the umpire made a good call. After bunting the ball, the batter-runner decided to just stand there instead of running for first. This was probably enough to get the interference call. If he had been booking it to first as soon as he dropped the bunt and he and the catcher collided, there most likely would have been no call made at all. An argument can also be made that the batter-runner was attempting to go to first base immediately after bunting the ball, and interference should not have been called. It's a tough one.

SITUATION: Runner at first base. One out. The batter has a 2-2 count. He swings and misses on his third strike and then interferes with the catcher attempting to catch the runner stealing second base on the pitch. The batter is out on strikes and the runner stealing second is called out for the batter’s interference.

COMMENTS: This is Rule 6.01(a)(5) in action. A batter who has just been put out interferes with a play on another runner. That other runner will be out, as well. Fun sell job by the catcher. This call always draws the ire of the offensive team, but it's right there in black-and-white. Make the call.

SITUATION: A batter does NOT have to duck out of the way of a catcher's throw to third base on a steal attempt. Batters only duck because they do not want to get ear-holed by the catcher's throw. A batter can stay in his hitting stance and perhaps ease up a little bit on reception of the pitch, but his actions must stop there. This is a LIVE BALL.

While not specifically spelled out in OBR, the batter is entitled to complete his swing. As long as he does not stray out of the batter's box on his swing attempt, there is no interference.

TIPS FOR UMPIRES

For batter interference during steals of home, see STEALS OF HOME.

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