Catcher’s interference: when the bat hits the mitt

Catcher’s interference is easy to miss. The pitch comes in, the batter swings, and there’s a second sound — a thock as the bat hits the catcher’s mitt.

Most youth games go all season without anyone calling it. Young catchers set up too close. Young umpires don’t hear it. Young hitters don’t know it’s a thing. So a lot of batters never get the base they’re owed.

The rule works like this. If the catcher’s mitt, or any part of him, gets in the way of the bat during the swing, the batter is awarded first base. Any runner who’s forced moves up. A runner on third comes home only if the bases were loaded or he was stealing home on the pitch.

But most coaches don’t know the second half of this rule. If the batter hit the ball anyway, reached first and every runner moved up at least one base, the play stands on its own, and the interference is ignored. If the batter singled and the runner scored, you keep it automatically. When that doesn’t happen, the offense has a choice: The coach can take the result of the play instead of the award. If the batter popped out, take the interference and put him on first. The umpire should ask the coach which one he wants, and if he doesn’t, you should ask.

Hitters, if you feel the mitt, say something right away. It’s a base you’re owed, and far too many players give it away by staying quiet.

For catchers, the fix is simple. Set up with your mitt behind the plate — not over it. The deeper you are, the harder the ball is to receive, so it’s important to find the spot where you’re safe and still framing well.