Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/9/2009

Question
Here is the situation, runner on third two outs right handed batter up, ball four on the batter, as he turns and throws his bat toward the third base dugout, not sure if he was in or outside the batters box no chalk lines, the catcher tries to pick off the runner on third and subsequently throws the ball off the batter's helmet the ball goes out past the pitcher and the runner comes home. The umpire calls the batter out for interference, ending the inning. We follow the Illinois High School Association rules but i could not find this ruling. any thoughts?

Answer
Greg,

Its an umpire judgement call.  If the umpire rules that the batter interfered on purpose, then he made the right call.

If the batter just happened to be heading to first and got hit by a thrown ball, the play is live and no interference is called.

Hope this helps!

Brian