GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Who is out when an MLB batter interferes with a catcher trying to retire a runner?
Ordinarily, when a batter interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throw, the batter is out, the ball is dead, and runners return to the last bases they legally touched at the time of interference. But if the catcher makes the play and retires the advancing runner, the rule treats that as no actual interference: the runner is out, the batter is not, and other runners may advance. A play at home has a separate out-count branch. An unintentional full backswing after a missed pitch is a strike and dead ball, not the ordinary interference out.
For Fans and players trying to understand whether a catcher-obstructing batter or an advancing runner is retired. · Updated
Ordinary result: batter out and ball dead
Rule 6.03(a)(3) covers a batter who steps out of the box or makes another movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home. In the ordinary interference ruling, the batter is out, the ball is dead, no player may advance, and runners return to the last bases legally touched when interference occurred.
The question is offensive batter interference. It is not the separate rule for a catcher who interferes with the batter.
If the catcher retires the runner, the runner is out
The exception matters when the catcher makes a play and the advancing runner is put out. The Comment says to treat that as no actual interference: the runner who was retired is out, the batter is not, and other runners may advance. The play proceeds as if no interference violation had been called.
The rule also addresses a batter throwing a bat that hits a catcher attempting to catch a pitch when runners are on base and/or the pitch is a third strike; those context conditions should not be dropped.
A play at home and a missed-pitch backswing differ
If a runner is trying to score and the batter interferes with the play at home before there are two outs, the runner is out. With two outs, the interference puts the batter out and no run scores.
A different provision covers a batter who swings and misses, carries the bat all the way around, and unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball behind him on the backswing. That is a strike only, with the ball dead and no runner advancing; it is not the ordinary interference out.
Three fictional catcher-interference branches
In a fictional play, Imani steps into the catcher’s throw toward a runner going to second and hinders the play. Under the ordinary branch, Imani is out, the ball is dead, and the runners return. In a separate play, the catcher completes the throw and retires that advancing runner; the runner is out, the batter is not, and other runners may advance. In another branch, after missing a pitch, Imani completes a full swing and unintentionally contacts the catcher on the backswing; that is a strike and dead ball. The rule’s different home-play result still depends on whether there were already two outs.
Related questions
If the catcher throws out the runner, is the batter also out?
No. Under the stated exception, the runner who is retired is out, the batter is not, and the other runners may advance.
Does every backswing contact with a catcher count as interference?
No. The specified unintentional contact after a missed pitch and full backswing is a strike only; the ball is dead and runners do not advance.
Does the result change at home with two outs?
Yes. Before two outs, the runner trying to score is out; with two outs, the batter is out and no run counts.