Batter Interference is a batting infraction where the batter shall not Delay the game (7-3-1), Hit the ball fair or foul while either foot or knee touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box or touching home plate (7-3-2), Batter Interference can be called when the batter disconcerts the pitcher by stepping from the box on one side of home plate to the box on the other side while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch (7-3-3), Permit a pitched ball to touch him (7-3-4) and more like...

7-3-5   Interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by:

1. leaning over home plate,
2. stepping out of the batter’s box,
3. making any other movement, including follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher’s attempt to play on a runner, or
4. failing to make a reasonable effort to vacate a congested area when there is a throw to home plate and there is time for the batter to move away.

PENALTY: When there are two outs, the batter is out. When there are not two outs and the runner is advancing to home plate, if the runner is tagged out, the ball remains live and interfer ence is ignored. Otherwise, the ball is dead and the runner is called out. When an attempt to put out a runner at any other base is unsuccessful, the batter is out and all runners must return to bases occupied at the time of the pitch. If the pitch is a third strike and in the umpire’s judgment interference prevents a possible double play (additional outs), two may be ruled out (8-4-2g).

Also see Runner Interference