Territorial Disputes

Question
Dear Larry,

For slow-pitch under ASA rules: the batter hit safely to the outfield with one or more runners on base (cannot recall). The pitcher runs around on the first base side to back up home plate.

As the lead runner is coming to home plate, the on-deck batter (from the third-base side) runs up near home plate, coaching the runner not to slide. The throw is coming in as well, but up the line. As both the on-deck hitter moves toward the plate and the pitcher moves toward the ball, they bump into one another. This prevents the pitcher from getting to the ball, which goes out of play.

The umpire ruled that he did not see the contact - he was watching the runner crossing the plate - and awarded runners extra bases.

The pitcher claimed that whether he saw the contact or not was irrelevant; the on-deck batter's presence in the home-plate area was interference.

Is there a rule to cover this?

Thank you!
Ken Boos

Answer
Hello Ken

I don't know of a rule that disallows the on deck batter to come down near home plate and coach a runner in. I have also seen on deck batters come near home plate to move bats out of the way without penalty. However with that said the on deck batter better not be getting in the way a play.

Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball ANYWHERE on the playing field. There are several different types of interference calls (i.e. batter, base runner, on-deck batter, and coach). When any of these types of interference occurs, the ball becomes dead, someone must be called out (usually the player interfering or being played on), and all base runners will return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

Interference is a judgment call. If the home plate ump didn't see the interference then the correct call was made. In cases like this it would have been nice to have a field ump around.