What is catcher's interference and what are some tips for a catcher to prevent? Catcher's interference occurs when the catcher is hit by the batter's swing. So often the duties and responsibilities of a...
So often the duties and responsibilities of a baseball catcher go unnoticed.
To the untrained eye, it would appear that all the catcher does is catch the baseball tossed in from the pitcher. Occasionally he pounces on a baseball out near the plate and every now and then he has to throw out a potential base stealer.
To the untrained eye, it would appear that all the catcher does is catch the baseball tossed in from the pitcher. Occasionally he pounces on a baseball out near the plate and every now and then he has to throw out a potential base stealer.
But the reason why catchers can make their duties look so simple is because of the years of practice they have at their position.
And the first thing a catcher should know is how to set up behind the plate in a proper stance.
Not setting up in a proper stance could lead to a variety of problems for a catcher including the dreaded catcher's interference call.
Perry Roth is the assistant coach of the Birmingham Southern College Panthers. In his second stint with the Panthers, Roth is responsible for catchers and hitting instruction. In his career, Roth has coached at BSC (two different occasions), Bradley, Illinois St., Springfield Calvary Academy and his alma mater, Greenville College.
In his day as a coach and as a player, Roth has had to deal with several catcher's interference calls and understands what needs to happen for a catcher to lessen the possibilities of getting a catcher's interference called on him.
"Catcher's interference is when contact is made by the hitter's bat," he said. "To avoid interference, sit up in the right spot, and don't get too close to the hitter. If the hitter has a long swing, don't sit up so close that you could get hit by him."
The most important thing for a catcher to remember when setting up in a proper stance is to make sure that he sets up in a position that will allow him to keep his glove out of the way.
Most catcher's interference calls occur when a catcher gets over anxious behind the plate. Catchers are taught to be patient and let the baseball come to them. But when a catcher snags at the baseball or extends his arm out too far, the bat from the hitter is more capable of hitting the glove when it comes through the hitting zone.
The penalty for catcher's interference results in the base for the hitter. Even if hitter hits the ball in the air and it gets caught by one of the fielders, the hitter will be allowed first base.
Now, if there are runners on base when catcher's interference occurs, the runners must go back to the base in which they started from. The play is ultimately blown dead as the runners are awarded their base.
As far as the rules of catcher's interference go, no hit can be awarded to the batter. The at-bat becomes an unofficial at-bat and the catcher is awarded an error.
Catcher's interference is most commonly called when a hitter's bat makes contact with the catcher's glove, but on occasion, the catcher can be called for interference without ever making contact with the hitter's bat. In these cases, the catcher may step in the way of the hitter to be called for the interference.
Whatever way the interference is called, the catcher can eliminate most situations by setting up in a proper stance and being patient behind the plate.
