Harry's Weekly Rules Review

This Week's Question:

R2, one out, 3-1 count. The pitcher balks  during his delivery and throws the pitch for ball four. When the catcher catchers the pitch time is called, R2 is awarded third, and the pitch does not count.

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Last Week's Question:

This week's question comes from one of our viewers. Since the answer would require a little more space than is available, this one's for free. No need to take a guess; we're giving you the answer now. Below is the email correspondence.

I get a little confused with 7.08g and 6.06c with regards to the batter interfering with the catcher and deciding if the batter or the runner is called out.  One source told me that with no outs, if a runner is on 2B trying to steal 3B, the batter is called out. But if a runner is on 3B trying to score on a passed ball, the runner is out.  Why is this?

Last Week's Answer:

Thanks, Roger. Here's the answer.:

There is a difference between when a batter interferes with a play at home plate, and when he interferes with a play on another base.

In short, these rules say this:

If a batter interferes with a play being made on a runner at home plate, it depends on the number of outs as to who is called out on the interference. If there are less than two outs, the runner is out; with two outs, the batter. This is meant to penalize the offense the most, and not give them another free shot for the plate.

If the batter interferes with a play being made at another base, the batter is out.
There are a couple of exceptions also found in these rules. If the batter is already out when he causes the interference, the runner who the play is being made on is out.

If the interference is a result of the batter swinging so hard that he hits the catcher with his bat, then this is called "backswing interference", and no one is called out.

On all interferences by the batter, runners, unless they are called out, return to their bases at the time of the interference.

If, on any interference by the batter where the catcher is making a throw to another base, the initial throw retires the runner, the interference is disregarded. It is assumed that there was no actual interference. This means that if other runners advance, their advances are legal, and the play stands.
Rules References: 6.06 (c), 7.08 (g), 7.09 (c), and 7.09 (e).