CATCHER'S INTERFERENCE

RULE 5.05(b)(3) - The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when… the catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference.

RULE 5.06(b)(3) - Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when… while he is attempting to steal a base, the batter is interfered with by the catcher or any other fielder.

SITUATION: Bases loaded. Two outs. The catcher interferes with the batter during a swing attempt. The interference is called, the batter-runner is awarded first base, and because all of the runners are forced, a run scores.

COMMENTS: You can’t really ask for a better example of catcher’s interference and the accompanying penalties. The fun part of this video is in trying to figure out what the catcher could possibly be arguing about.

SITUATION: Runners at first and third. One out. On a batted ball to the second-baseman, the catcher interferes with the batter’s swing. The play continues, and the defense turns a double play. At the conclusion of the play, the batter-runner is awarded first base, therefore the runner at first is forced to second base, while the runner at third is not forced home.

COMMENTS: Another excellent example. The only confusing and tricky part about catcher interference is the umpire himself determining if, in fact, the interference has occurred. Notice the "mechanic" of the home-plate umpire. He doesn't raise both hands up in the air to signal a dead ball; he simply points and verbalizes that catcher's interference has taken place.

SITUATION: Runner at third. One out. The catcher interferes with the batter. The ball is fielded by the first-baseman, who tags the batter-runner while the run scores from third. The umpires award the batter-runner first base and send the runner back to third in accordance with the base awards stipulated in the rules. Yankees manager Joe Girardi comes out and tells the umpire that he wants the outcome of the play instead. So the batter-runner is out and the run scores.

COMMENTS: A textbook example of a manager electing to take the outcome of the play instead of the catcher's interference penalty. These are professional baseball announcers, and they still don’t understand what is happening until it is clarified to them during a commercial break.

Notice the home-plate umpire. When he sees the catcher's interference, his instinct is to bring his arms up to signal a dead ball, but then he instantly remembers, no, it's a live ball and you let the play continue.

TIPS FOR UMPIRES

When you see catcher's interference, you point at it and say, "That's catcher's interference!" It is not an immediate dead ball. You let the play continue. If the batter-runner reaches first base and all runners advance one base, nothing else needs to be done.
Shouting "Catcher's interference" in most cases will result in the batter and fielders thinking it's a dead ball; that is not your concern. Allow the play to conclude.
If the batter-runner and all runners do not all advance one base, you start applying the penalties: batter-runner is awarded first, and all runners advance only if forced by the batter-runner acquiring first base. Runners stealing on the pitch are awarded their next base, even if not forced. It is then the offensive manager's responsibility to inform the umpire that he wishes to take the outcome of the play instead of the penalty awards if he wishes (see video 3 above).
Yes, catcher's interference can sometimes be difficult to detect.

QUICK QUIZ

R2 on second base. 2-0 count. The pitcher delivers. Batter swings at the pitch, but his bat hits the catcher's glove during his swing. The pitch hits the catcher in the chest protector and lands at his feet. Where do the batter and R2 end up as a result of the interference?

Batter-Runner is awarded first base on the interference. R2 was stealing on the pitch, so he is awarded third base.

R2 on second base. 2-0 count. The pitcher delivers. R2 attempts to steal third base. Batter swings at the pitch, but his bat hits the catcher's glove during his swing. The pitch hits the catcher in the chest protector and lands at his feet. Where do the batter and R2 end up as a result of the interference?

Batter-Runner is awarded first base on the interference. R2 was stealing on the pitch, so he is awarded third base.

R2 on second base. R3 on third base. One out. Batter swings at the pitch, his bat hits the catcher's glove during his swing, but the batter is able to make contact with the ball and he grounds it to the first baseman, who steps on first base. Meanwhile, R3 has scored and R2 has advanced to third. Because all runners, including the batter-runner, did not advance at least one base on the play, the umpire must apply the catcher's interference penalties: the batter-runner is awarded first, but R2 and R3 are returned to their bases because they were not forced by the batter-runner reaching first. The offensive manager comes out and asks if he can take the outcome of the play instead. Is this allowed?

Yes.

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