Situation #16: Batter Interference

            The steal of home and suicide squeeze are the most demanding challenges an umpire could ever face. In less than one second, he has to make seven possible decisions. Did the pitcher balk? Was the pitch a ball or a strike? Did the batter offer at the pitch? Was the batter hit by the pitch?  Did the catcher interfere with the batter? Did the batter interfere with the catcher? Was the runner safe or out?

            Take another look at this play: The batter attempts to bunt the ball then moves out of the batter’s box and interferes with the catcher’s play at the plate……What’s the call?

            With less than two outs, the runner is called out on this play for the interference of his teammate.

            With two outs, the batter shall be declared out.

            With two strikes on the batter and less than two outs, the batter would be out if he offered at the pitch and the runner would also be declared out on the interference. Double play!