Interference-Odd Type. Never missed a Pop Fly? 

I would not have called that interference

Honestly had to look this up. It is still a judgement call by the umpire on the intent of the interference. Because the on deck batter called the ball out he has intentionally tried to confuse the defensive player. It is a rare play, one we umpires hate to call since it needs an explanation to the teams. I'll give props to the umpire calling it, he knew the rule and made the call immediately. I know I could not react that fast. I remind myself behind the plate to judge the "intent" of the play. Great video again.

The on deck batter is also making no effort to vacate the area to give the catcher a clear and fair chance at the ball.

I’m fine with the interference call. I’d be fine if it wasn’t called. From an official scoring perspective, he didn’t miss a pop up. But, that doesn’t matter because very few of those catches in the montages would have appeared in the official scorebook had they not been caught. So, I’m eliminating the official scoring as a consideration. If I were him, I’d consider this a no-play. I was interfered with and the batter was retired. No drop. As an unbiased observer, I’d say that he wasn’t interfered with - his ability to make the play was not impedes. Therefore, he dropped a ball. If the at-bat continues, it’s not even close to an E2, but it’s a drop in the sense you are asking.

Dad probably jinxed him by making the comment. He did drop a pop up that “touched his glove.” But, if ump indeed ruled interference, then he recorded a putout nonetheless. (So a mythical catch)

2-21-1 Offensive interference is an act (physical or verbal) by the team at bat: 1 which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play; or

I understand the umpire's reasoning, but I would not have called interference here because your son clearly did not give up on the play just because the on deck batter said it was "out, out". Therefore, I would have to say this counts as an uncaught foul ball by your son.

Not a missed play, and it was verbal interference. The on deck man was very close to where the play was. His shouting could cause distraction to the catcher. The fact that the ump called it meant it was loud!

The umpire made the right decision

Nice job teaching him to find the fence first (when possible) and then pursuing the pop foul.

Late here, but... this one's tough. Plate umpire was a lot closer and a lot more aware of what's been going on in the game than we are, though, so I'll defer to his judgement. Another reminder to me that trying to make a call from center field on a play at home (or vice versa) is not the best of plans, and to move my feet more, even on "routine" plays, because you never know what will happen.

At that level you need to teach all kids that an on-deck batter can’t be a jerk! I got Offensive Interference. Otherwise, when that on-deck batter comes to bat, he’s going to be fed a Rawlings McMuffin!

players, and parents, yell all kinds of crap when to distract a fielder who is going for a fly ball, from the field, from the bench, from the on deck circle, and I have issued stern warnings, but I don't think the IF call here was justified

Not interference for sure. The ump trying to shine

I had Joey twice this year. He's a good catcher.

I wouldn't have called this interference; The on-deck batter didn't scream at the catcher trying to get him to miss the catch, plus the catch was a very difficult one. The rule does state that verbal interference can happen, but I didn't see anything to that effect here. Now, if he would have yelled "Watch out, Watch out" and the catcher pulled up like he was going to hit something, then missed the catch, I then have interference. The verbal words didn't seem to cause the catcher to stop chasing the pop fly, nor alter his course of attempting to catch it.

Personally. I don't think I would call the interference here. Watching the play, he called the ball out of play well away from the catcher and early and it did not seem to hinder the catcher's play on the ball. It really did not seem like the catcher lost focus, he never stopped, did not look at the on deck batter, or hesitate.

Would not have called interference

I have paused the video several times and at no time did the catcher give up or appear hindered in his attempt to catch the ball. I have no interference and a missed catch by the catcher. Play on. As you can see, the catcher was 3 feet from the on-deck batter when the ball was dropped and he never touched him and the on-deck batter barely flinched after the catcher hit the ground. As for the verbal comment, you can see the on-deck batter was looking up at the ball the whole time and as you state in your commentary, the wind was blowing 20 miles per hour,. Was he trying to influence the catcher or to hinder him or just protecting fans on the other side of the fence by making a comment or did he just believe the ball was out of play? The situation does not appear to be intentional verbal interference. Perhaps a case of over-officiating by the umpire. I recognize that interference is a judgement call by the official but I just don't see it here. It's just not enough to get an out. J.M.H.O. Cheers!

I would call the interference. Anything less than an out is condoning bush league play. Score it "two, unassisted"

It is not interference

Not interference……counts, sorry.

Since it was the on deck player verbal inference i woud say call it a foul ball or if was the hitter that verbal inference i would add strike and take away a ball but if was the umpire then did it is due over even if the umpire get in the way . Out should physcial inference if it the fence than it foul ball

Verbal is interference by rule.

I like the interference call mostly because it's a bush league move. Him saying "out out" and your son having a bead on the ball could definitely have made him second guess where the fence was so he could have been expecting to run into it and shied away a bit. To me this is akin to an infield pop up and a baserunner yelling "I got it!"

It can't be a missed pop fly because in theory catching the ball had nothing to do with the out recorded. HOWEVER if you are honest with yourself that was pretty lame there are fans, coaches and other players from both teams yelling all sorts of stuff all the time..my call here is foul ball no interference, no out. And stop with all these exotic stances as a catch and get in a good stance and maybe you can get to the ball faster

Good interference call

Well, first of all, congratulations to your kid. It's amazing, I suffer catching that level of pop-ups. He is incredible! I can say that as an amateur player with no doubt. As an umpire, in the other hand, I would "score" his first missed pop out, unfortunately. I thought it was an equipment left on the floor. Just calling "out, out" I'm not sure if I would call interference. It shouldn't have confused the catcher. Or not?

First

I think interference called (whether justified or not) means this is not a missed catch, just like an error is not a hit for a better. Your son is great, I love the clips where he finds the fence then backs away. I think the only thing he can improve is holding his mask a bit longer while tracking. There are a few times where since he dropped it so early, he nearly ends up stepping on it, or at least is closer than need be. I’m sure you show him those.

A lot to dissect here. First, the catcher never stopped trying to catch the ball. 2nd, is it 100% that the on-deck batter was the one saying "out, out"? And 3rd, if it was the on-deck batter saying it, I personally think he was saying it so the catcher didnt get hurt crashing into the fence. Now, if Joey stopped and the ball fell to the ground because of the "out, out" then I may have interference

Honestly I don't see your son hesitant at all in his pursuit of the catch attempt. I wouldn't have called it. But on the other hand I guess you could make a case for an unsportsmen like attempt to interfere could be considered interference? If that was the case here. Interesting

The pop up behind the plate is the toughest play in baseball. Very difficult to practice and requires the instincts of a pro.

He is correct according to the definition of interference.

Missed pop fly

Are you kidding? Verbal Interference? E2, end of story. It could have been a catcall from the spectators. The on-deck batter did not figure in the dropped ball.

Very tuff call in my opinion. I'm not sure the ondeck batters intention was to hope your son would give up just because he yelled "out, out". I understand we can call inteference whether intentional or not but, I'd have to say I probably would not have in this case. I compare this to when players or coaches in the dugout will yell foul ball on a ball that is close but fair. We probably could call interference on that too. Great effort by your son though.

Not interference. The on-deck hitter yelling did not cause a safety issue for the catcher, and while his actions might not be very sporting, interference normally requires a physical act, not just bench-jockeying. Even absent the interference call, I would not have scored an error because the ball wasn't catchable with normal effort by the catcher.

I sure wouldn't've ruled interference! "Out...out" could've meant he expected a foul out. If an on-deck batter's giving an opinion out loud like that is interference, they're turning this into a game for stuffed shirts.

didn't realize there was a "verbal interference" rule. i thought it was interference by the on-deck batter who didn't move. as i recall from a previous video you've made interference doesn't require contact. subconsciously i wonder if your son "felt" the on-deck batter was near and it affected him. clearly your son was close enough to hear him. either way it was a good call. this doesn't count as a no-catch but rather interference.

I retired from umpiring two years ago after 51 years. I called the interference before you mentioned it. The on deck batter never tried to get out of the way of the batter. Just like batter's interference on F2 trying to throw out a runner stealing and he throws the ball away, F2 is not charged with an error because the batter is out and the runner has to return to the previous base.

If the cop air finished the batter it doesn't count as it until 5

Because of the interference it is not missed and he keeps his record.

Out for interference, verbal is not allowed at lower levels

If on deck batter said out out and stood there I'd call it too.

Teach your son to hold onto his mask until he is ready to catch the pop up. He will not trip over it that way. I know he didn’t, but he never will if he does that - old catcher here. Take off mask, find the ball, get position, loose the mask, make the catch!

To me, it looked like he pulled up as the ball was falling for fear of running into the on-deck batter. That's what I thought the umpire was ruling on. But since he's your son, you can ask him! Did he pull up or was the on-deck batter's presence a non-issue?

Commenting as I go, but I’m assuming follow-through interference

Ending was awesome... LoL

I want to say your son is one of the best I have seen. But I think it is a missed catch and not interface. No one can be perfect at such a high level. This was a tough play and his effort was huge...

It's a catch. He's still got his streak!

great call. had it only once in 30 years