Batter-Runner/Slapper Interference with Catchers Throw

Question
QUESTION: Runner on first OR second, no outs.  Left handed slapper either swings and misses or takes a pitch, ball or strike.  Runner on first or second takes a lead off.  Catcher attempts to make throw to first or second to pick off runner.  Thrown ball at pick off attempt from catcher hits batter.  Batter is outside of batters box toward pitcher due to slap attempt.  What do you have?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi BA,

Thank you for your question.  Batter interference is always a judgment call by the umpire, and I wish that I could have seen your play.  I DON'T have batter interference in your play, though, based on your description.  The batter ended up at the culmination of the pitch where she is permitted to be and where the catcher should have expected her to be.  The catcher had the opportunity to make her throw to the left of, to the right of, or over the batter.  In fact, many catchers would rather make a throw to 2B while the slapper is out in front of the batter's box VERSUS while the batter is in the extreme rear of the batter's box crowding the catcher's box.  

The thrown ball that struck the batter is a live ball.

Scott Kelly




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your answer! The permission of the slappers location is understandable.  I didn't know that. I understand that it is a judgement call. Last question, similar, but different scenario.  What if it isn't a slapper, and they happen to step backwards out of the box, and at least one or maybe two feet are out of the batter's box after a taken pitch, and the catcher attempts a snap or pick off to first base, and she hits the batter.  Then is it interference?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi BA,

Thank you for your followup question!  I don't want to sound like a broken record, but batter interference is always a judgment call by the umpire, and I wish that I could have seen the play you describe in your followup question.  

Based on your description, I have BATTER INTERFERENCE.  You didn't say that the batter was bailing out backward to avoid a beanball, for example.  You said, simply, that the batter TOOK a pitch, meaning that they didn't swing at it, and then they step backward.

It is significant backward batter movement after a taken pitch if one or both of the batter's feet end up in the catcher's box.  I just can't figure out why a batter would watch a pitch go by, then step backward so far that one or both feet end up completely out of the batter's box, putting herself right into the throwing lane of the catcher going to 1B.

The results are: the ball is dead, the batter is out, and the runner on 1B remains there.

Scott Kelly