Step Up to the Plate: Ace the 2026 High School Baseball Umpire Exam!

In the situation where R3 (the runner on third base) attempts to steal home, and during this attempt, the batter makes contact with the catcher, the ruling depends on the actions on the field. In this case, the correct ruling is that the batter is guilty of interference, resulting in R3 being declared out.

This ruling stems from the understanding that the batter must not hinder the catcher’s ability to make a play on a runner attempting to steal home. The rules are established to ensure that the batter does not obstruct the defensive team's ability to perform their duties during a play. Therefore, when the batter's contact with the catcher occurs, it is viewed as a violation of this principle.

As a result, R3, who is trying to score, is called out because the interference affected the catcher’s ability to make a play on him. This teaches an important aspect of the game: players must respect the roles and abilities of their opponents during play to maintain fairness and sportsmanship on the field.