September 1, 2010
Interference and the 45-foot box
by Rich Marazzi/
Rule 6.05 (k) is “lousy,” at least as far as Derek Jeter is concerned. (photo: Getty Images)
Have you ever wondered why there is a 3-foot wide, 45-foot long box between home and first base but not between any of the other bases? In part one of this two-part series, I will answer that question plus explain in depth the various layers of the rule that are associated with batter-runner interference and the runner’s box.
To begin with, the purpose of the box is to protect the fielder “taking the throw” at first base by keeping the batter-runner away from the fielder as much as possible. Why is the fielder given this protection at first base but not at second, third or home? Here’s a bit of history.
In the early days of baseball, the first-base foul line reportedly ran through the middle of the base and it was common practice for the batter-runner to crudely barrel over the first baseman or any fielder who was taking the throw at first base. To protect the fielder taking the throw at first base, in 1881 the base was moved inside a few inches and the 3-foot wide, 45-foot long box was added. That’s right. The runner’s box has been around since Chester A. Arthur was President of the United States. The box may be more of a baseball tradition than peanuts, popcorn and crackerjack.
In the modern era, the box is designed to protect the defense from a batter-runner who interferes with a throw to first base normally made by a pitcher or catcher.
The box and the related rule 6.05-k has been the source of confusion for umpires, coaches and players on all levels. Two things must occur for batter-runner interference to be called the last 45 feet between home and first on a thrown ball: (1) The batter-runner must be running with one or both feet entirely out of the box; and (2) the batter-runner must interfere with the fielder “taking the throw” at first base which is the judgment of the umpire. The throw does not have to hit the batter-runner for interference to be called.
Playing under pro rules, the batter-runner is permitted to vacate the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching the base. Neither college nor high school (NCAA; NFHS) rules deal with the words “step, stride, reach or slide.”
Under NCAA rules, “If the batter-runner runs illegally inside the foul line for the last 45 feet and interferes with the attempted catch of the thrown ball, or is hit by the throw, the batter-runner shall be called out even if the runner is in his approach to the base.” The logic here is that the batter-runner by running illegally the last 45 feet has most likely hindered, impeded or confused the defensive team and should be called out even if he is in his approach to the base. It is a solid interpretation but such is not the case playing under high school and pro rules.
Over the years the batter-runner has been coached to purposely run outside the box (usually on the infield side) to add pressure on the defensive team when making the throw to first. This creates challenges for umpires. Managers or coaches who endorse this tactic, however, are taking the chance of batter-runner interference being called and also risking serious injury to the first baseman, whose view of the throw can be obstructed by the runner. Often times the first baseman has to reach to the inside for the throw and his arm is in the path of the batter-runner, which can be dangerous.
Because the rule is inconsistently enforced on all levels, some managers or coaches apparently think that it is worth rolling the dice, hoping that the potentially illegal presence of the batter-runner will cause the defense not to throw or trigger an errant throw without a call being made. For reasons stated above, from this corner there should be a rule change. In my opinion the moment the batter-runner reaches the box he should be required to be entirely in the box the last 45 feet. If not, he should be ruled out. This would create stricter awareness and more consistent conformity. It would also better protect the fielder taking the throw at first base.
In a May 15, 2009, game between the Yankees and Twins at Yankee Stadium, Yankees’ first baseman Mark Teixeira had to handle two throws during the game at first base from catcher Kevin Cash with Carlos Gomez of the Twins running on the infield side out of the box en route to first base. In both plays, Teixeira and Gomez almost collided when Teixeira received the throw. Teixeira argued with Gomez and let the Twins’ outfielder know under no uncertain terms what he thought. “I think the batter-runner should be out if he is out of the box at any time,” said Teixeira. With the exception of the final step, I agree. But that’s not the rule.
Former Houston first baseman Lance Berkman was almost seriously injured in a game between the Astros and Pirates on Sept. 8, 2008, at Minute Maid Park because of a runner running out of the box. In the seventh inning, Luis Cruz laid down a bunt that was fielded by Astros’ catcher J.R. Towles. Cruz ran down the line the last 45-feet on the infield side outside the box and in doing so he blocked the vision of Berkman. Towles’ throw deflected off Cruz and hit Berkman in the forehead. Cruz was ruled out for batter-runner interference, but Berkman and the Astros almost paid a heavy price for the out.
Is the current rule a good rule? Because there is no double base, first base is outside the box and the batter-runner must exit the box to touch the base. This has led runners to ignore and disrespect the rule. Derek Jeter is a good example.
Jeter was nailed on July 25, 2004, at Fenway Park in Boston. The Yankees were batting in the eighth inning with runners on second and third and one out, trailing, 9-6, when the Yankee shortstop hit a smash up the middle that caromed off the leg of Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke. The ball bounded back to catcher Doug Mirabelli, who fired to first. The ball hit Jeter, who was running on the infield side of the box, and rolled beyond first base as Enrique Wilson and Kenny Lofton crossed the plate. But plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called Jeter out via 6.05 (k) and returned the runners to their respective bases at the time of the pitch since no runners can advance when the rule is enforced playing under pro and NCAA rules.
When the Yankees returned to New York, I asked Jeter if he would continue to run to first in the same fashion outside the box? He answered, “Yes, because it’s a lousy rule.” In the Jeter play, he was actually running outside the box the entire distance, like Gomez did.
Playing under pro and NCAA rules, no run can score when batter-runner interference occurs and runners must return to the base they occupied at the start of play. There is an exception, however, in NFHS rules. Playing under high school rules, it’s possible for a run to score when the batter-runner interferes with the throw to first base. According to rule 8-2-8, if a runner from third crosses the plate before the batter-runner interferes with the play at first base, the run shall score unless the batter-runner’s interference results in the third out. The rationale here is that the batter-runner’s interference had no bearing on the runner advancing from third to home.
As stated above, the throw does not have to strike the batter-runner for batter-runner interference to be called. He must simply interfere, obstruct, impede, hinder or confuse the defensive player who is “taking the throw” at first base.
A good example occurred in Game One of the 1988 World Series between the Dodgers and Athletics. Oakland’s Dave Parker was batting in the fourth inning with Jose Canseco on first base. Parker hit a roller to Dodgers’ pitcher Tim Leary, who tossed wildly past first baseman Franklin Stubbs.
It appeared as if the A’s were about to put together a rally, but Parker was called out for batter-runner interference even though he was never struck by the baseball.
Umpires, coaches and players should be aware of the following points to better understand batter-runner interference and rule 6.05 (k).
(1) There must be a possible play at first base.
(2) The first 45 feet to first base is open real estate for the batter-runner. He basically has no restrictions on thrown balls unless he intentionally interferes with the play.
(3) If the batter-runner remains in the box the last 45 feet to the base and for some reason his position interferes with the throw to first base, or he collides with the fielder, he should not be called out unless the interference is intentional.
(4) If the batter-runner runs outside the box (to either side) and the defense completes the play, interference is nullified even if there is a subsequent play on another runner. No harm, no foul. But it’s precisely this aspect of the rule that has allowed the batter-runner to run liberally outside the box. It’s possible that the first baseman can complete the play but break his arm in the process.
(5) The batter-runner should not be charged with interference if he is running out of the box if the defensive team has had ample room or a good throwing lane to make the play even if he is struck by the ball. This becomes umpire’s judgment.
(6) Interference should not be called if the defensive team does not throw to first base regardless of the position of the batter-runner. Often times the pitcher or catcher will hesitate and not throw because the batter-runner has taken away the throwing lane by running outside (to either side) of the box.
(7) The lines are part of the box. If the batter-runner has any part of his foot on a line that forms the box, he is considered to be legally in the box.
(8) Normally the plate umpire makes the call, but it can be made by the first-base umpire.
In Part 2 next month, I will outline several classic plays in baseball history relating to batter-runner interference and will further explore the rule.
Rich Marazzi is the rules consultant for the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians and Astros. If you have a rules question, e-mail him at Rtmarazzi@aol.com.
