rules question...?

[larrybowman]

I always thought that a swing and miss coupled with a steal was a legitimate play.

The batter is instructed to be deep in the box, let the ball get deep and take a late cut and miss. This clearly helps the runner make the steal but it is offset by a strike call. It forces the catcher not to get jumpy and to wait on the ball. The hitter is in her motion and both feet are in the box. The catcher has to work around the batter not the other way around.

The batter isnt swinging, shes bunting. My question was if the bunter leaves the bat in the zone after missing the bunt to block the catchers veiw/distract/ whatever the reason.... if this was legal. Also when the runner was stealing third the batter was "missing" the bunt then turning her entire body while in the box to face the catcher, which makes the batter an even bigger obstacle to get around.

 

[FastBat]

If both feet stay in the box and the batter maintains her legal batting position, then the catcher must work around her. This is not interference.

Then my next thought after this is, if there is a runner on third, and is trying to steal home, the batter must get out of the box? If she doesn't, does that become interference?

 

[larrybowman]

Then my next thought after this is, if there is a runner on third, and is trying to steal home, the batter must get out of the box? If she doesn't, does that become interference?

I would think so? If the batter is gonna stand there when theres a play at home someone is gonna get hurt.
I'm assuming there's another set of rules for that situation.

 

[BretMan2]

Then my next thought after this is, if there is a runner on third, and is trying to steal home, the batter must get out of the box? If she doesn't, does that become interference?

Yes, we do have a different rule for a play at the plate versus a throw to a base.

The rule doesn't necessarily require the batter to "get out of the box", but she must vacate any area needed by the defense to make the play. If the batter fails to do that, and impedes the defense, then it would be interference.

 

[larrybowman]

Yes, we do have a different rule for a play at the plate versus a throw to a base.

The rule doesn't necessarily require the batter to "get out of the box", but she must vacate any area needed by the defense to make the play. If the batter fails to do that, and impedes the defense, then it would be interference.

Always great to have you to bounce this stuff off of BretMan2! Thank you for clarifying.