jonriv wrote:Batter still in box?
The answer to that question is the red herring that probably resulted in the incorrect ruling.
The batter is entitled to :
1) Any reasonable action involved in attempting to hit the ball,
2) Any reasonable action to avoid being hit by the pitch,
3) Stand her ground in the batter's box.
The batter is NOT entitled to:
1) Any protection against interference while out of the batter's box, whether intentional or accidental, OR
2) Any action or movement within the batter's box which actually interferes with an attempted play that doesn't meet the criteria listed above.
Bottom line, in this case it doesn't/shouldn't if she was still in the box. She "actively" (key word in ASA) made a "movement" (key word in NFHS/PGF) that interfered with the catcher's attempt to play on a runner. Under NCAA rules, the action must be considered intentional; as a matter of standard practice, any movement not involved in attempting to hit the ball is to be considered intentional. Unless the runner being "played" on was standing on the base when the ball was thrown, interference is the accurate ruling.