Expert: Andrew Mullins - 6/17/2009

Question
We play 12u baseball using MLB rules with slight modifications that don't apply here.  The play: Runners on 1st & 2nd, two outs , and a right handed batter at the plate.  Runners from second & first steal. Batter doesn't swing and catcher catches pitch and throws to third.  His throw hits the bat which is over the shoulder of batter who is inside batter's box and hasn't moved an inch since pitch was thrown.  Umpire calls interference on batter and ends the inning.  Did he make the correct call?  Several things:  1.)  I understand inside the batter's box is not always a safe zone, but does the batter have to make any attempt to get out of catchers way to make a play? 2.) If no, is ball off of the bat a "live" ball and play would continue unless it goes out of play as a result of hitting bat with 2 bases given to runners? (One scores and one on third). 3.) If it were less than two outs when play happened and it is interference is the runner out at third or is the batter out? If batter is out do runners go back to their original base?

Answer
The batter's box always belongs to the batter.  As long as he is in there, no interferance....None unless he were to stick out the bat or otherwise intentionally try to interfere....If it happened as you say, then the umpire made a major mistake.

Good luck.

Thanks for the question....Andy

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