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Back in the Swing of Things

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Back in the Swing of Things BASEBALL EDITOR: BRENT KILLACKEY Q bkillackey@'referee.com RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY Umpire Bill Miller, Aptos, Calif., observes St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina get hit on the head by the follow-through swing of Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz in the fifth inning during Game 1 of the MLB World Series at Fenway Park in 2013. Since it did not hinder action at home plate, it was not follow-through interference. IN THE SWING OF THINGS Follow-through Interference in Three Codes By George Demetriou just before he prepares to swing. a defensive play. If the bat contacts The follow through is the continuing the catcher's glove, hand, head or he topic of follow-through movement of the bat after the ball is any other part of his body, and either 1 interference came into the struck or missed — the completion of hinders action at home plate or the spotlight during 2017 MLB the swinging motion. The distinction catcher's attempt to play on a runner, postseason play. Before we get into between those terms (both are it is follow-through interference. that, it's important to note that much used in NFHS and NCAA rules) is Plays at home plate include the to the dismay of the golfing world, significant as the two acts are treated obvious: attempting to field a batted MLB does not use the term "follow- very differently. Except where noted, ball in front of the plate, attempting through interference." Instead, the material applies equally to NFHS, to tag out or throw out a batter or TSCH it is referred to as "backswing" NCAA and pro rules. runner, e.g., stolen base or pickoff, or DEU RT interference. The batter is entitled to swing at another similar action that the catcher The backswing is a preparatory ROBE any pitch without being hindered by performs in the plate area. Thus, RTS movement that involves just what the catcher, but once he does, he is the follow-through is the batter's SPO it says — movement of the bat responsible for not interfering with DAY responsibility without exception. TO A backward. The batter does that any attempt by the catcher to make So unless the catcher jumps up and US moves into the swing, if the bat hits Chicago scored a crucial run when the catcher on the follow through, it's Wieters subsequently threw the ball the batter's fault. away during his ill-fated attempt to If no play is in progress when throw out Baez. The Cubs went on the contact occurs, there cannot be to win the game, 9-8, and the series, interference. The pitch is called a three games to two. strike, the ball is dead and no runner Plate umpire Jerry Layne shall advance on the play. Batter explained that he applied his interference is a delayed dead ball, judgment to the play because the but because there is no play, the ball passed ball had already occurred becomes dead immediately (NFHS prior to the contact. He felt Baez's 2-21-4, 5-1-2a; NCAA 6-2d1; pro actions did not play a role in 6.03a3 Cmt., MiLB 7.14). the uncaught third strike or the If there are two strikes on the subsequent overthrow at first base. batter and the follow through causes Joe Torre, who is MLB's chief an uncaught third strike, the ball is baseball officer and responsible for dead, the batter is out and no runners onfield operations and discipline and can advance (NFHS 7.3.5F; NCAA umpiring, said the rule supersedes 6-2d1; pro 6.03a3 Cmt., MiLB 7.14). umpire judgment on that type of If the follow-through contact play. Torre emphasized the rule occurs while the catcher is in the act states when the bat contacts the of making a throw to retire a runner, catcher's mask, it's a dead ball and or a runner is able to advance on the that should have taken precedence. play, the codes differ. In NFHS, the The only exception for that is batter is out and the runner returns. found in the MLB Umpire Manual, In NCAA and pro, time is called at which states that if the catcher's the end of playing action, the batter initial throw directly retires the is only out on a third strike and runner despite the infraction, the runners return unless the catcher's unintentional follow-through contact initial throw retires the runner is ignored and the out stands. (NFHS 7-3-5c; NCAA 6-2d1, 6-2d2; In the NLDS game, there was pro 6.03a3 Cmt., MiLB 7.14). no "initial throw" and no outs were Play: With a runner on first and recorded. Torre added Nats Manager a 1-0 count, B1 swings and misses Dusty Baker could have asked for the pitch. His follow through on the a rules check if he felt Layne's call swing comes around and hits the ball was wrong: "If you don't like what out of F2's glove immediately after the umpire's telling you, ask him for he securely catches the pitch. R1 then a rules check. And they can do that. goes safely into second base. Ruling: They can go to the replay center on In NFHS, B1 is out and R1 returns the headset and check a rule." to first base. Under NCAA and pro So now the remaining question rules, a strike is called on B1 and R1 is: What would the correct ruling returns to first base. be if the NLDS play were to occur We can now address the MLB in an amateur game? Under NFHS play mentioned earlier. In the top rules, contacting the catcher with of the fifth inning of Game 5 of the the bat does not automatically Cubs-Nationals 2017 NLDS played constitute interference; there has to Oct. 13, Cubs batter Javier Baez be a hindering of the action. In the swung and missed at an 0-2 slider play at hand, one could argue the bat from Nats pitcher Max Scherzer, stunned the catcher and delayed his inadvertently striking catcher Matt pursuit of the ball. The fact there was BI LL LL Wieters' mask during his backswing. NI a play happening as opposed to no CH Replays indicate that prior to Baez's OLS OLS play at all is a distinction that should (B bat making contact with the catcher's not be ignored. However, NFHS AR RETT mask, the pitched ball snuck rules allow the umpire to make the ) , COURT , underneath Wieters' mitt and rolled judgment Layne made. The NCAA to the backstop for a passed ball. The rule is similar to the pro rule and ESY ESY LMU LMU sequence was kept live. The passed states if the bat hits the catcher, the ball allowed runners to advance, and ball is immediately dead. Backswing. As mentioned, the and not interference (as shown in the backswing is a different act. NFHS PlayPic). The pitch or swing should defines backswing interference as not be allowed since the batter's when a batter contacts the catcher or concentration or rhythm could be his equipment prior to the time of the affected (NFHS 5-1-1n, 8.1.1F; NCAA pitch (2-21-5). If a batter, during his 8-2e AR; pro 5.05b3 Cmt. 3). preliminary loosening-up swings, or George Demetriou, Colorado Springs, when he cocks the bat to swing, hits Colo., is the current NFHS rule the catcher or the catcher's mitt, the interpreter for the state of Colorado. ❑ umpire should immediately call time, .
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