(d) The catcher or any fielder interferes with the batter. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire of a decision to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such an election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference. (e) COMMENT: If catcher's interference is called with a play in progress the umpire will allow the play to continue since the manager may elect to take the play. (f) A fair ball touches an umpire or a runner on fair territory before touching a fielder. NOTE: If a fair ball touches an umpire after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or having touched a fielder, including the pitcher, the ball is in play. 6.09 -The batter becomes a runner when- (a) A fair ball is hit. (b) A fair fly ball passes over the outfield fence. Such a hit entitles the batter to a home run when all bases have been legally touched. (c) ("O" Zone Division ONLY) The third strike called by the umpires is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied or (2) when first base is occupied with two outs. When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by the catcher and starts for the dugout or his position and then realizes his situation and attempts then to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged before he reaches first base. If he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be called out. (d) A fair ball, after having passed a fielder other than the pitcher, or after having been touched by a fielder or the pitcher, shall touch an umpire or runner on fair territory. (e) A fair ball, after touching the ground, bounds into the stands, or passes through, over or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence; the batter and runners shall be entitled to advance two bases. (f) Any fair ball which, either before or after touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases; (g) Any bounding fair ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over or under a fence on fair or foul territory, in which case the batter and all runners shall be entitled to advance two bases. (h) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter shall be entitled to advance to second base; but if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory, the batter shall be entitled to a home run. 46
