Spazsdad wrote:GIMNEPIWO wrote:Not sure what Rule Set you are asking about, but NFHS:
Interference ( Offense )
2:32:1 Interference is an act ( physical or verbal ) by a memeber of the team at bat who illegally impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder, or when ....
Unless you are talking about very young players any catcher that gets "confused" by a coach yelling run deserves the results described, minus the runners being returned.
G, does his scenario fit under the rule you quoted or can you describe a situation where a player or coach verbally interferes with another player?
Comp wrote:As has already been stated, yes you can have verbal interference. That being said, if the umpire did call it verbal interference on the coach he completely messed up the penalty. Ball is dead immediately, all runners return to last base occupied at the time of the interference. How can a run score? Not only that, if it is interference on the coach, the runner closest to home is called out, not the runner at 1st.
Gmomma wrote:The situation was bases loaded with 1 out. Catcher dropped 3rd strike. Immediately the third base coach told player to run which she did. This caused confusion on catcher's part and she threw to first which was an errant throw. 2 runs scored. The umpire called the runner to first out and let one run score and sent the other runner back to third. He called coach verbal intereference because he was telling the girl to run, it prompted the throw from catcher to 1st. Is there such a verbal interference rule?
Fredegar wrote:For the record, the ASA rulebook doesn't specify the word "verbal" as NFHS apparently does.
Rule 1 - Definitions
Interference: The act of an offensive player, or team member, umpire, or spectator, that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Contact is not necessary.
Even though it doesn't specifically mention the word "verbal", you may get different opinions from umpires on what constitutes "confusion".