Rule 7.09
mentions
that it is
base coach
interference
when the
base coach
at 1st or
3rd base
assists the
runner at
that base in
either
returning or
leaving. You
understand
the rule and
its
penalties
but have
never seen
it happen.
Maybe you
have and did
not
recognize
it; here are a
few things
you should
be looking
for when you
watch the
base
coaches.
Having
trouble with
batting out
of turn and
who is out
and when.
Not quite
sure when
and who
should call
a batting
out of turn.
Here are
some tips to
help you
understand
the how, why
and when of
rule 6.07.
#1. Rule
7.09 –
It is
interference
by a batter
or runner
when, in the
judgment of
the umpire,
the base
coach at
third base
or first
base, by
touching or
holding the
runner,
physically
assists that
runner in
returning to
or leaving
third base
or first
base;
Question:
How can a
base coach
at third
base or
first base
physically
assist the
runner at
that base?
Answer:
A base coach
at first or
third base
could grab a
runner to
stop them
from running
passed the
base; a base
coach at
first or
third base
could place
his/her hand
on the back
of a base
runner and
give a push
when a fly
ball is
caught to
get the
runner
started in a
tag up and
advance
attempt; a
base coach
at first or
third base
could step
in front of
a runner to
get them to
stop. These
are just a
few of the
ways coaches
could
physically
assist
runners.
Penalty:
The runner
that is
assisted is
called out
immediately
and the ball
is dead if
there is a
play being
made on that
runner.
Otherwise,
the runner
that is
assisted is
called out
and the ball
is dead
after all
other action
is completed
(delayed
dead ball).
However,
“high-fiving”
a runner
during a
home run
trot, for
example,
would not be
interference.
#2.
Rule is
6.07
Batting out
of turn can
be a little
tricky,
particularly
when more
than one
batter bats
out of turn.
In this
scenario,
numbers are
used instead
of Abel,
Baker, etc.
Numbers 5,
6, 7 and 8
in the
batting
order are
due to bat
in the
second
inning.
Number 7
leads off
and doubles,
followed by
number 6 who
sacrifices
him to
third. What
happens if
Number 5
then comes
to bat and …
…the mistake
is
discovered
by the
defense
before a
pitch is
delivered to
5? Since a
pitch was
made to 6,
the double
by 7 is
legal and 8
should have
been the
proper
batter
instead of
5. Batter 8
is then
called out,
and 9 is the
proper
batter.
Also, the
runner who
was
sacrificed
to third
must return
to second
because the
advance was
as a result
of a batted
ball hit by
an improper
batter.
… 5 takes a
strike
before the
mistake is
discovered
by the
defense?
Same ruling,
except that
8 becomes
the proper
batter with
a count of
one strike.
Again, no
penalty is
charged.
… 5 takes a
ball that
goes to the
backstop,
bringing 7
in to score,
before the
mistake is
discovered
by the
defense? The
run counts,
and 8
becomes the
proper
batter with
a count of
one ball.
Once again,
no penalty
is charged.
… 5 flies
out,
sacrificing
7 in from
third, and
then the
mistake is
discovered
by the
defense? The
fly-out
counts, but
the
sacrifice
and run do
not, and 7
is returned
to third
base. In
this case,
the actions
of 6 and 7
were
legalized, 8
is charged
with the
at-bat, and
9 becomes
the proper
batter.
… 5 draws a
walk, and
then the
mistake is
discovered
by the
defense? The
walk is
nullified, 5
is removed
from first
base, and 8
(the proper
batter in
this case)
is called
out and
charged with
the at-bat.
In this
case, the
actions of 6
and 7 were
legalized,
and 9
becomes the
proper
batter.
Remember, in
cases of
batting out
of order,
neither the
umpire nor
the
scorekeeper
should bring
it to the
attention of
either team.
It is up to
the defense
to catch the
mistake. The
pertinent
rule is
6.07.
This is
different
from an
ineligible
pitcher or
player.
Anyone
(including
the opposing
manager) who
notices that
an
ineligible
pitcher or
player is
about to
enter the
game should
stop it
before it
happens.
Note:
You may now
join the
Umpire
Registry by
clicking on
this link:
http://www.Eteamz.com/llbumpireregistry
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