Batter Interference
In the bottom of the 2nd inning of tie breaker play with the game tied at 2-2, the batter has a count of 2 strikes. Home team has one out with a runner on 3rd base. On the next pitch, the batter swings and misses. The ball bounces off the catcher and back into the batter as the batter is still in the batters box. The batter then runs to 1st base on the dropped 3rd strike as the catcher gets the deflected ball and throws out the batter-runner for the second out. However, before 1st base can throw the ball back to home plate, the runner from third base scores. Game over.
But wait, the defensive coach complains that the batter hindered his catcher's ability to make a play and that's why they were unable to get the ball back to home plate in time to stop the scoring run. The coach wants the batter out for interference which would kill the play and send the scoring run back to third base. The coach tells the umpire the game should be re-started with 2 outs and the runner at 3rd. What's your call? Back to Quiz
Game over.
Incidental ball contact by a batter in the batters box is not batter interference. Batters are not expected to avoid deflected balls. Therefore, game over.
On the other hand, the catcher, after getting the deflected ball, could check the runner at 3rd. If the winning run is far off third base, the catcher could run the runner back to third. If not, the catcher could throw the ball back to the pitcher. Either way, the runner at 3rd should not score and the game would not be over.
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