OBR 6.01(c)
Catcher's interference
When the catcher's glove touches the bat during the swing, the batter is awarded first base and the catcher is charged with an error. If the offense does better than first base anyway — say the batter homers — the manager can take the result of the play instead.
Key points
- The ball is delayed-dead: if the batter reaches and every runner advances at least one base anyway, play proceeds and the interference is ignored.
- Manager's election: if the play's result beats the award, the offense may choose it after the play.
- Scored as an error on the catcher, one of the odder lines in a box score.
- Any fielder can commit it — a first baseman's glove on the bat during a swing is the same violation.
In a game
Swing clips the catcher's mitt, but the ball lands for a two-run double anyway.
Ruling · The manager takes the double. The election exists exactly for this — the offense keeps whichever outcome is better.
Why it moves the scoreboard
A free baserunner plus an error, with a built-in option year for the offense — the delayed-dead mechanic means the play can stand on its own merits.
Related rules