rules quiz #1 (answered)

[mkoss]

Sammy Sosa is at bat with a 3-2 count, 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, and the Cubs are losing 4-1 to the Cardinals (typical, huh?). Rick Ankiel pitches, but loses control of the ball (typical, huh?) and it bounces five feet in front of the plate, then back into the strike-zone. Sammy swings and belts it onto Waveland Avenue for a game-winning homerun. However, the umpire notices that Sosa's bat hit Marrero's glove on the swing and calls for interference, awarding one base to every runner (including Sosa).

An argument breaks out from both managers (nice to finally see a Cubs manager with some spunk!). Baker contests that it is a homerun and La Russa contests that Sammy swung illegally and should be a strikeout victim.

The umpires huddle up to confer. What should their ruling be and why? Homerun? Interference? Strikeout?

[trevisc]

it's a homerun and the game is over.

The ball can be hit after it bounces but it can't be called a strike unless it's swung at no matter if it crosses the plate or not.

Also, if you swing and MISS the ball and it hits the catcher then it is interference. If you hit the ball first and hit the catcher it's not interference.<br><br><span class=gensmall>Accepted as answer by mkoss on Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:44 am EST.</span>

[mkoss]

You're right, it is a homerun. In the scenario, the batting hitting the catcher's glove first was implied. The technical reason it is not interference is because the manager of the offensive team has the right to decline the interference if he wants the resulting play.