Had a situation this weekend where the opposing team's batters stayed in the box when runners were coming home on passed balls. Happened 3 times. This is rec league and our only experienced pitcher was absent. The sanction we play under, I believe, is called "whatever blue decides to make up tonight".
On the first incident, catcher tried to lob the ball over over the batter's head, no call. I asked for interference, no luck.
Second time, catcher threw the ball wide, around the batter, and the pitcher couldn't catch it, still no interference.
Third time, catcher held the ball while yelling at the batter.
I asked the ump why he wouldn't call interference on these batters. He said he was warning them to get out of the way, but without contact there is no interference. I walked him over to the fence, told him I needed to educate my parents who were getting upset. I asked him "So, I need to instruct my catcher to hit the batter with the ball for there to be interference?" He announced "Yes" loud enough for all the parents to hear.
Anyone want to help me understand batter interference when a runner is coming home?
On the first incident, catcher tried to lob the ball over over the batter's head, no call. I asked for interference, no luck.
Second time, catcher threw the ball wide, around the batter, and the pitcher couldn't catch it, still no interference.
Third time, catcher held the ball while yelling at the batter.
I asked the ump why he wouldn't call interference on these batters. He said he was warning them to get out of the way, but without contact there is no interference. I walked him over to the fence, told him I needed to educate my parents who were getting upset. I asked him "So, I need to instruct my catcher to hit the batter with the ball for there to be interference?" He announced "Yes" loud enough for all the parents to hear.
Anyone want to help me understand batter interference when a runner is coming home?
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